10/16/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/15/2023 21:39
Published: 16 Oct 2023 02:42pm
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews have saved an inner-city unit from an explosion and fire, sparked by a faulty Lithium-Ion e-bike battery.
The FRNSW crew from Leichhardt was travelling near the city when it responded to a fire alarm In Yurong Street, Darlinghurst, around 11.20am.
Joined by a Rescue Pumper from the City of Sydney station, firefighters raced to the scene where smoke was issuing from a basement-level studio apartment
The building's manager was attempting to douse the fire with a chemical powder extinguisher, whilst a neighbour, outside, was assisting with a garden hose.
Fire crews entered the unit and successfully attacked the blaze in the corner of a room with two lines of hose.
A 50-year-old man was treated for smoke inhalation by NSW Ambulance paramedics at the scene.
Firefighters say the blaze was started by a Lithium-Ion e-bike battery that overheated and went into 'thermal runaway' whilst on charge.
The resulting explosion blew out a window in the apartment.
FRNSW reminds the public to:
For more information: https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/chargesafe [external link]
Media note: FRNSW footage of the incident is available here: https://vimeo.com/874651697/1e1a742acd [external link] It contains the voice of Leichhardt 022 Station Officer, Steve Croft.
Updated: 16 Oct 2023 02:42pm