A massive explosion at a chemical recycling facility in St Marys, Sydney, ignited a towering blaze on November 30, 2025, injuring two firefighters and sending shockwaves felt miles from the site. The blast erupted inside a waste-processing complex where a chemical tank detonated, triggering a fire that rapidly intensified and forced emergency crews into a large-scale response.

Witnesses described a violent shockwave that rattled windows across nearby suburbs and sent debris flying from the facility. Moments after the explosion, a fireball rose more than 150 meters into the air, visible from several districts around western Sydney.

Authorities confirmed that two firefighters were struck by debris from the initial blast. Both sustained injuries but were immediately treated and transported to safety as the fire continued to spread through adjoining structures filled with chemical materials.

More than 200 firefighters and emergency personnel are now battling the inferno, working in rotation to contain flames that continue to surge due to volatile substances inside the facility. Specialized hazardous-materials teams have been deployed to monitor air quality, suppress chemical reactions, and prevent additional explosions as the fire burns.

Emergency officials have not yet determined the cause of the initial blast. Investigators are expected to examine whether chemical instability, mechanical failure, or improper storage conditions played a role. Until then, authorities have urged residents to avoid the area, remain indoors, and keep windows closed due to potentially harmful smoke.

The St Marys incident marks one of Sydney’s most significant industrial fires in recent years, with emergency crews warning that full containment may take many hours. As firefighters work to stabilize the situation, officials emphasize that the priority remains the safety of nearby communities and the prevention of further explosions within the damaged facility.