Lithium-Ion Battery Danger Warning After E-bike Explodes and Injures Man

Fire and Rescue NSW recommend not leaving lithium-ion batteries on charge once they have reached capacity.

The scene of an e-bike that caught on fire in New South Wales on March 14, 2024. Courtesy of Fire and Rescue NSW

Fire and Rescue New South Wales (NSW) is again warning the community about the risk of lithium-ion batteries after an e-bike caught on fire in Sydney’s southwest.

The fire occurred on the third level of a 10-storey building on French Avenue in Bankstown, on March 14.

A 30-year-old man received treatment from New South Wales Ambulance at the scene before he was taken to hospital for further medical assistance.

Fire crews established that an e-bike was plugged in and charging at the time of the fire. There were four people inside the building at the time.

Thermal Runaway Warning

Acting Superintendent Mathew Sigmund explained that lithium-ion batteries can enter thermal runaway and warned the community not to leave lithium batteries on charge.

“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,” Mr. 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.”

An e-bike at the scene of a fire in Bankstown in Sydney on March 14, 2024. Courtesy of Fire and Rescue New South Wales

Fire and Rescue New NSW sent out 25 firefighters and four fire trucks to the scene.

Once they arrived, the fire had been largely extinguished by sprinkler systems in the complex that activated at the scene.

Firefighters claim a resident at the apartment tried to move the e-bike when it was catching alight, leading to a superficial burn on his hand.

In a video of the incident, firefighters are heard saying, “The seat of fire seems to be an e-bike. It seems that the e-bike has been moved from the bedroom to the lounge room. Sprinklers are still operating and have put the fire out.”

Firefighters at the scene of an e-bike fire in Bankstown, Sydney on March 14, 2024. Courtesy of Fire and Rescue New South Wales

Fire and Rescue NSW describes lithium-ion batteries as the “fastest growing fire risk in New South Wales.”

In a post on battery and charging safety, the fire agency cautions that e-bikes and e-scooters “make our lives better, but they could put us at risk.”

Second Lithium Battery Fire in a Garbage Truck

Meanwhile, Fire and Rescue NSW suspects a second fire on March 14 in a garbage truck may have been related to an e-scooter or e-bike.

Multiple lithium-ion batteries were found in the dumped load, with one showing signs of thermal runaway, the ABC reported.

The driver of the truck put out the blaze after seeing smoke coming out of the back of the vehicle, the publication reported.

Meanwhile, two people in Sydney tragically died in late February at a townhouse at Lake Macquarie.

Two residents in the home escaped, while the other two passed away.

Fire and Rescue NSW urged the public to be careful after what appeared to be “the state’s first recorded deaths in a lithium-ion battery related fire...”

“NSW Police are working to formally identify the victims and prepare a report for the NSW Coroner, who will formally decide the cause of the deaths,” Fire and Rescue NSW said at the time.

The firefighters warned the community to never sleep or leave home with lithium-battery powered devices charging and dispose of them properly if they are damaged or compromised.

Other safety tips include not charging lithium batteries on beds, sofas, or highly flammable materials and trying to charge devices outside.

More than 45 Lithium Battery Fires

In 2024, there have already been more than 45 lithium-ion battery-related fires. In 2023, there were 269 lithium-battery fires.

“This appears to be what we have been fearing for a while now, a person or persons dying due to a lithium-Ion battery-related fire in this state,” Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell, said.

“We continue to warn the community about the potential for these batteries to explode in flames. Use extra caution when using Lithium-Ion batteries …when they go into ‘thermal runaway,’ the danger is immediate.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was asked on WSFM radio if he was concerned about lithium-ion fires and whether new electric vehicle trucks subsidised by the government contained the same batteries on March 14.

“No, these are very safe,” Mr. Albanese said.

Yesterday, Mr. Albanese launched a fleet of 43 electric trucks that were funded with the help of a $20.1 million ($US 13.2 million) grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) in Western Sydney.

“We already have thousands of electric buses and electric cars on the road. This Australian-first project will help modernise our truck fleet, cut down on emissions, save fuel costs, and reduce air pollution,” Mr. Albanese said.

“This also delivers on our election commitment through the Driving the Nation Fund into cutting transport emissions and rolling out charging infrastructure across Australia.”