Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) investigators believe a faulty Lithium-Ion battery was responsible for a weekend e-bike fire that led to the evacuation of 30 people from a high-rise apartment block at Wolli Creek in Sydney's south.
The blaze broke out just after 6 pm on Saturday night in a seventh-floor apartment within the Arcliffe Street complex.
Residents rushed from their units to safety after the e-bike, on charge, burst into flames, setting fire to a bed. A 30-year-old woman was treated for smoke inhalation by NSW Ambulance paramedics.
FRNSW urges extreme caution
FRNSW crews from Arncliffe and Marrickville were quickly on the scene and extinguished the fire.
FRNSW urges extreme caution when charging Lithium-Ion batteries:
- Never sleep or leave home with the Lithium-battery-powered devices charging
- Don’t leave them constantly on charge
- If Lithium batteries are damaged or compromised, dispose of them properly
- Don’t throw them out in the rubbish, they can start garbage truck or rubbish tip fires
- Contact the local, approved recycling center for disposal advice
- Don’t leave devices charging on beds, sofas, or around highly flammable materials
- Try to charge devices outside if possible
- Always buy reputable Lithium-battery brands and never ‘mix and match’ components
- Beware of cheap, substandard Lithium battery-powered devices
- Avoid dropping, crushing, or piercing battery cells
- Store batteries and devices in a cool, dry area, away from combustible materials
- Install active smoke alarms in the home/garage
- Ensure there is a home evacuation plan in the event of fire
