A body has been found in an apartment near Sydney's city centre after a fire that led to resident evacuations over fears that walls could collapse.
Police on Wednesday confirmed the remains of a man had been discovered in the third-floor apartment after firefighters extinguished the blaze.
Two men were living in the apartment, but one was not home at the time of the fire.
The man had not been formally identified, but police said they had notified those who they believed were his next of kin.
More than 30 firefighters and 10 trucks were sent to the scene of the blaze in inner-city Darlington that broke out about 8am.
An investigation is under way into the cause of the blaze, but Detective Superintendent Rod Hart said police were unable to begin a full probe until the building was declared safe.
He said the unit was extensively damaged and investigators would need to get access to determine the origin of the fire.
Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said crews had tried to enter the apartment earlier but could not search it due to the fire's intensity.
"It's definitely a tragedy that we don't like to see," he said.
"Where and how this fire started is being investigated now and it's a matter for the police, but our fire investigators will assist with that investigation."
Firefighters remain concerned about the possibility walls could collapse and have evacuated neighbouring residents and people from nearby businesses.
Local roads remain closed and the public is urged to avoid the area.
