Fire and Rescue NSW crews have successfully contained an e-bike battery fire that threatened residents in a Waterloo apartment complex early Wednesday morning, 23 October. Six fire trucks and 22 firefighters from Alexandria, Redfern, and City of Sydney stations responded to the incident at approximately 12:50 a.m. on Raglan Street.
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Incident details
The fire originated from an e-bike stored in the ground floor stairwell of the apartment building. According to FRNSW, the device’s battery entered a state of “thermal runaway” while charging, causing it to burst into flames. The technical malfunction triggered a chain reaction, resulting in battery explosions and the release of toxic gases.
Emergency responders worked diligently for an hour to contain and extinguish the blaze, successfully preventing the fire and smoke from spreading to the four residential units within the building. No injuries have been reported in connection with the incident.
Fire and Rescue NSW safety guidelines
In light of this event, FRNSW has issued critical safety recommendations for Waterloo residents who own e-bikes and similar micromobility devices. Key safety measures include:
(1) Avoiding charging devices during sleep hours
(2) Preventing overcharging of batteries
(3) Keeping emergency exits clear of devices
(4) Charging devices outdoors when possible
(5) Using only reputable battery brands
(6) Installing active smoke alarms
(7) Maintaining a home evacuation plan
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FRNSW emphasises the importance of proper battery disposal to prevent similar incidents. Residents are advised not to dispose of lithium batteries in regular waste bins, as they pose a significant fire risk in garbage trucks and at waste facilities. Instead, community members should contact local approved recycling centres for proper disposal methods.
Published 24-October-2024
