Major fire breaks out in Sydney

Firefighters battled a massive blaze in Sydney on Wednesday and warned people to stay clear as towering flames engulfed a large building near the city centre.

"Please avoid the area," Fire and Rescue NSW said in a message on social media as fire and thick smoke enveloped the building near the city's Central Station.

"Firefighters are currently on scene at a large multi-story building fire," it said.

Sirens from emergency vehicles could be heard in the city streets.

Images posted on social media showed flames pouring out of the windows of a building that appeared to be five or six stories high.

Agence France-Presse