Man injured as e-bike explodes into flames in south-west Sydney apartment - VIDEO - Bankstown
Published: 14 Mar 2024 04:38pm
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is reminding the community about the dangers of Lithium-ion batteries after an e-bike caught fire in an apartment at Bankstown, in Sydney's south-west, today.
Four people were inside when the blaze broke out on the third level of a 10-storey building on French Avenue, near Conway Road, around 6:30am.
FRNSW deployed 25 firefighters and four fire trucks to the scene.
However, sprinkler systems in the complex activated, containing and largely extinguishing the fire prior to their arrival.
Firefighters were told one of the occupants had attempted to move the e-bike as it was catching alight and suffered a superficial burn to his hand.
NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the 30-year-old man before transporting him to hospital for further medical assistance.
FRNSW crews extinguished the blaze and helped ventilate the building.
They have since established that the e-bike was plugged in and on-charge at the time of the fire.
FRNSW Acting Superintendent, Mathew Sigmund, said it was fortunate this situation didn't have a worse outcome.
"Lithium-ion batteries that are compromised can go into a process known as thermal runaway, which can create toxic and flammable vapours, triggering an explosion or an otherwise life-threatening situation for those nearby," Acting Superintendent Sigmund said.
"Firefighters recommend not leaving Lithium-ion batteries on charge once they have reached capacity, not to charge batteries near exits from buildings, on or near combustible surfaces, or while people are sleeping."
More safety information relating to Lithium-ion batteries is available on the FRNSW website: https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=9389 [external link]
EDITOR'S NOTE: Video footage from the Bankstown fire scene is available for download here - https://vimeo.com/923207947/c45e5a332c [external link]
Updated: 14 Mar 2024 04:43pm
Related safety topics
It's important that we all understand the risks of lithium-ion batteries and be prepared if things go wrong.
Details about this incident may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice.
For all life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000)
For flood information, warnings or requests for non-life threatening assistance, call the SES on 132 500 or visit the NSW State Emergency Service website here. [external link].
For information directly relating to bushfires please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link]
Stations nearby
353 Liverpool Road, Bankstown NSW 2200
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