A Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighter, driving to work, has stopped to protect a teenager during an e-bike fire this morning at Alexandria in inner Sydney.
The 15-year-old had borrowed the e-bike from a family friend last night and was riding it to school when it burst into flames on Botany Road just after 8 am.
Flames spitting from its battery
Flames spitting from its battery as the overheated cells went into thermal runaway
FRNSW HAZMAT Team Pioneer, David Jordan, was traveling along Botany Road at the same time and saw a large plume of smoke.
“At first, I thought it was a building fire, the smoke was so thick, so I turned the corner and pulled over to assess the situation,” said Station Officer David Jordan.
He saw the e-bike on fire, flames spitting from its battery as the overheated cells went into ‘thermal runaway.’
Handheld fire extinguisher
Station Officer - David Jordan ushered bystanders out of harm's way and assisted efforts to douse the flames with a handheld fire extinguisher. A FRNSW crew from Mascot later arrived on the scene to assist.
The teen told firefighters he was riding along when he suddenly felt the heat from the battery pack burning his legs. The fire was extinguished and the teen continued onto school, unharmed.
Lithium-ion battery-powered devices
The faulty battery array has been confirmed by FRNSW as the cause of the blaze
The faulty battery array has been confirmed by FRNSW as the cause of the blaze. The new e-bike was bought less than two months ago from a Sydney retail store. The bike’s owner, also a teenager, had saved up to make the purchase.
The incident has prompted FRNSW to remind the public about the risks relating to lithium-ion battery-powered devices.
E-bikes, e-scooters, and e-skateboards
“In this case, not only was the teen riding the bike very fortunate he wasn’t harmed,” Acting Assistant Commissioner – Community Safety, Brendan Cox, said, “But the e-bike is normally charged overnight in his friend’s bedroom as he sleeps.”
“E-bikes, e-scooters and e-skateboards, along with other lithium-ion battery-powered devices, should never be on charge while you’re sleeping or not at home,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Cox added.
Fire to retrieve items
“Keep an eye on the condition of your devices and ensure they are not damaged or compromised,” he said. “When lithium-ion batteries overheat, they can release toxic gas and then explode violently in flames."
“If a such a fire does occur, remove yourself from harm’s way and call Triple Zero (000). Whatever you do, don’t go back into the fire to retrieve items, stay outside where it’s safe and allow FRNSW to respond.”
