More than 250 people have been evacuated after an allegedly stolen vehicle crashed into a unit complex and burst into flames in Merrylands, in Sydney’s west.
On Thursday, about 2.45am, emergency services responded to the car fire involving a Toyota RAV4, which saw residents evacuated as a precaution.
Police allege the car was stolen from Moorebank on Sunday, September 15.
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There were no reports of any injuries or damage to the unit complex.
On Thursday, reporter Lucy McLeod spoke about the incident on Sunrise.
“The car has just been towed away from the building as police try to find a motive behind such a bizarre act,” McLeod reported from the scene.
“It was just before 3am when a Toyota RAV4 sped through here and ploughed right into the lobby of the apartment complex.
“It sounded like an explosion as it was set alight.
“I spoke to a resident who says that she had only just got inside.”
McLeod added firefighters were working to extinguish the blaze for some time, but residents had now returned to their homes.
“The driver is nowhere to be seen. We are told that police are now hunting for that person responsible,” she said.
“Residents have told me that this building was targeted a couple of weeks ago.
“The gym was broken into and property destroyed — so they are investigating whether there is a link there now.”
Police say investigations will continue into the incident.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers online or by calling 1800 333 000.
The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
