Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews have rescued three people and a dog, trapped by a second story unit fire at Merrylands West, in Sydney.
Just after 9.45 am, more than 40 firefighters and ten fire trucks, including an aerial ladder appliance, responded to numerous Triple Zero (000) calls to a fire on the second floor of a residential building in Arcadia Street, amid reports of people trapped.
Working smoke alarm alerts to flames
A working smoke alarm alerted a woman inside the unit to the flames
A working smoke alarm alerted a woman inside the unit to the flames. She opened a bedroom door to find thick, black smoke billowing from an e-bike that had been on charge.
The toxic smoke prevented the woman from exiting the unit, so she sheltered in the bedroom and called Triple Zero (000). On arrival, FRNSW crews observed flames and large volumes of smoke from the unit.
Firefighters tackle fire using an aerial ladder truck
Firefighters brought the fire under control and, using an aerial ladder truck, rescued the woman and her dog through the bedroom window. A man and a woman on the balcony above the burning unit were also rescued by firefighters.
The fire was contained to the level two unit. The remainder of the block was affected by smoke, and crews ventilated the property. Crews completed their operations just after 11.15am and the handed the site over to FRNSW and NSW Police investigators who are examining the e-bike as the suspected cause.
When charging lithium-ion battery devices, FRNSW recommends:
- Never charge in exits or anywhere that would prevent people from escaping in the event of a fire
- Install active smoke alarms in the home/garage
- Always buy reputable lithium-ion battery brands and never ‘mix and match’ components
- Don’t leave devices charging in bedrooms or on beds, sofas or around highly flammable materials
- Try to charge devices outside if possible
- Beware of cheap, substandard lithium-ion battery-powered devices
- Avoid dropping, crushing or piercing battery cells
- If lithium-ion 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 when compacted
- Contact the local, approved recycling center for disposal advice
- Store batteries and devices in a cool, dry area, away from combustible materials
- Ensure there is a home evacuation plan in the event of fire
