Inner West Mayor, Darcy Byrne, has described the death of three local residents in a fire at a boarding house in Newtown as “a shocking tragedy”.
“On behalf of the Inner West I want to pay respect to the victims and their loved ones,” Mayor Byrne said in a statement.
“It is important that their lives be commemorated properly by our community and we will work to ensure that happens.
“Thank you to all the staff at Newtown Neighbourhood Centre for their work in supporting the survivors of the fire.”
He said Inner West Council would do “everything possible” to assist the neighbourhood centre to secure new accommodation and ongoing support for the people who have been left homeless by the devastating blaze.
“We are also working very closely with Police and providing them with all the information they need for their investigation,” he said.
The Mayor also said Council records showed that annual fire safety certification for the property were up to date and in order.
He called on Government to review and improve living conditions for boarding house residents.
“In the aftermath of this horrific event there must be a renewed effort to improve safety and living conditions in boarding houses.”
“The exploitation of vulnerable people living in these shared homes has been a long-standing problem in Sydney.
“Local and State government must now urgently re-examine the regulation and management of boarding houses.”
He said he would be writing to NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet to propose a joint review.
A 45-year-old man – a former resident of the boarding house – has been charged with deliberating setting the building alight.
