Lithium Battery Explodes Into Flames at Sydney Backpacker Hostel

An image showing fire after a lithium battery was said to explode at a Sydney hostel (Courtesy of Fire and Rescue NSW)

A lithium-ion battery suspected to be part of an e-bike has exploded inside a Mad Monkey hostel in the Sydney suburb of Darlinghurst.

Seventy people were forced to evacuate the building, and streets nearby were shut down during the emergency response.

Footage from Fire and Rescue New South Wales (NSW) showed the moment two men made a dramatic escape from the flames in their hostel room.

A man in his 20s received minor burns to his leg and was transported to the nearby St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney.

Fire and Rescue NSW said the “faulty” e-bike battery is the suspected cause of the fire.

“It’s suspected to have been sparked by a faulty e-bike battery left on charge,” the agency said.

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“Fire crews managed to contain damage to the one unit before extinguishing the blaze a short time later.”

The two men went to the Kings Cross Police Station for help after dashing to safety.

The fire department came to extinguish the blaze shortly after 9 a.m. with six fire trucks and 22 firefighters.

French backpacker Phillip told TV crews he was shocked after the fire but was happy to be safe.

“A little shocked, but I’m okay—I’m lucky to be here and intact,” he said to 9 News.

Fire and Rescue NSW and the NSW Police are investigating the fire.

Lithium Battery Fires

Lithium batteries are a critical component of electric vehicles (EV). The suspected lithium-ion battery fire in NSW is not the first of its kind.

Last week, a Tesla lithium battery storage facility caught on fire in Bouldercombe, Queensland.

“A Tesla battery is on fire near Rockhampton, and crews have been told not to put it out,” said federal Senator Matt Canavan. ”Our new energy grid is worse than our old energy grid.

Lithium-ion battery fires can be hard to put out, according to the University of New South Wales’s Matthew Priestley.

“What we are worried about at the moment is the fact there is very little regulation regarding lithium-ion batteries and the safety aspect associated with that,” Mr. Priestley said.

“I don’t think there is enough education regarding proper use, and storage, and recycling or disposal of lithium-ion batteries and that is the key moving forward.”

‘Fastest Growing Fire Risk’

Fire and Rescue NSW have released safety advice on lithium-ion batteries in response to the incident at the hostel.

“Lithium-ion batteries are the fastest growing fire risk in New South Wales. It is important for you to understand the risks and be prepared if things go wrong,” the agency said.

“The lithium-ion batteries in portable electronic devices including e-bikes and e-scooters, make our lives better, but they could put us at risk.”