Firefighters douse e-bike fire threatening apartment complex residents - Waterloo
Published: 23 Oct 2024 11:48am
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews have quickly extinguished an e-bike fire before it could take hold and harm the occupants of a small apartment complex overnight at Waterloo in Sydney’s inner south.
The battery of one of several e-bikes, stored in the ground floor stairwell of the Raglan Street unit block, , overheated while being charged and went into ‘thermal runaway’, bursting into flames around 12.50 this morning.
‘Thermal runaway’ is a process whereby a damaged or compromised battery cell generates enough heat to ignite, setting off a chain reaction of batteries exploding and giving off flammable, toxic gas.
Six fire trucks and 22 firefighters, from Alexandria, Redfern and City of Sydney stations rushed to the scene and stopped the flames and smoke from infiltrating the four units within the building.
It took an hour to contain and extinguish the fire and identify the faulty e-bike battery as the cause of the blaze.
No-one was injured in the incident.
Fire and Rescue NSW advises the owners of micromobility devices such as e-bikes, e-scooters and e-skateboards, not to charge them whilst sleeping, not to overcharge the batteries and to avoid blocking emergency exit points.
Other vital tips include:
- 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 when compacted
- Contact your local, approved recycling centre for disposal advice
- Don’t leave devices charging in bedrooms or 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 your home/garage
- Ensure you have a home evacuation plan in the event of fire
For further information, visit the FRNSW website: https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=9392 [external link]
Media note – A video walkthrough of the scene by FRNSW Supt Adam Dewberry is available here: https://vimeo.com/1022324024/f6a4e1b1de?ts=0& [external link];share=copy
Updated: 23 Oct 2024 11:52am
Related safety topics
It's important that we all understand the risks of lithium-ion batteries and be prepared if things go wrong.
It“s the law to have at least one working smoke alarm installed on every level of your home.
The best way to keep you and your family safe is to prevent fires from occurring and know what to do in case of a fire.
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
179 Wyndham Street, Alexandria NSW 2015
113 George Street, Redfern NSW 2016
214-216 Australia Street, Newtown NSW 2042