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Roads reopen after Barangaroo blaze

Roads have reopened around Sydney’s Barangaroo construction site, where a massive blaze forced the evacuation of about 2500 workers and brought peak hour traffic to a standstill.

Firefighters worked throughout the night to bring the basement fire under control after it broke out on Wednesday afternoon and threatened the collapse of a multi-storey crane.

The Barangaroo precinct was placed in lockdown with an exclusion zone established around the site.

However, structural engineers examined the crane overnight and said it was safe.

All of the roads have now opened, although there may be some minor delays on Hickson Road and Sussex Street, as the fire is still alight and emergency vehicles need to entre the site.

Pedestrian access to Barangaroo is still restricted.

About 100 firefighters battled the blaze into Thursday morning, pumping water into the seat of the fire.

The thick plumes of smoke visible on Wednesday have dissipated.

Fears that the fire-damaged crane could topple forced the closure of several city roads including the usually-bustling Western Distributor, plunging much of the inner city into evening gridlock.

Lend Lease chief operating officer Dan Labbad says engineers plan to dismantle the crane.

The Barangaroo area is being redeveloped as a residential and retail hub, with plans for a high-rollers’ casino owned by billionaire James Packer.

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