Smoke-filled stairwells almost prevented six people escaping a unit block fire.
A dozen fire trucks and more than 40 firefighters were called to North Parramatta in western Sydney at 2am on Wednesday after a fire started on the ground floor of a three-storey complex.
The fire threatened to spread through the ceiling space between levels and the intense smoke prevented occupants in higher storeys escaping, forcing them to seek shelter on balconies.
Fire and Rescue NSW crews used ladders to rescue the six residents and another four people escaped via a different stairwell.
The fire was extinguished in about an hour.
The building suffered extensive smoke damage, requiring multiple residents to be given temporary accommodation until repairs are done.
Four residents were taken to hospital with smoke inhalation.
Investigators found the fire started in a garage that had been converted into a unit but have yet to determine the cause.
