The 10-storey building fell onto the excavator just after 3pm today at the site on Railway Parade in Burwood.

The man is safe and able to get out of the excavator, however, he has been told to stay put for the structural integrity of the building, Fire Rescue NSW (FRNSW) said.

“Areas started to collapse which has caused issues with the scaffolding as well, the risk is collapsing onto public roads or people being hurt, or it actually falling into harm’s way,” FRNSW Superintendent Josh Turner said.

“The excavator was put into position to actually support the building and the scaffolding… It’s there as a precaution if it starts to move it can actually take a bit of the load from that.”

The man is in an enclosed cabin and isn’t at risk of injury, Turner also said.

“It’s an enclosed cabin… ideally it’s not there to have buildings collapse upon them, but he has a level of protection around him.”

Early reports from emergency crews indicated the man was trapped. 

It’s understood the structure became unstable during the demolition process, causing the building to fall, taking scaffolding with it.

An operation is underway to safely manage the fallen sections of the building.

“We have specialist recuse crews attending including our heavy rescue,” Fire and Rescue NSW Acting Superintendent Mat Sigmund said.

“We are assessing the situation and engaging engineers and experts… It will be an ongoing incident.”

Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW Police are on site.