Caringbah: Homemade charging set up for e-bike sparks 14th lithium-ion battery fire in nine days

A blaze in southern Sydney linked to a “makeshift power supply” for an e-bike has become the 14th fire related to lithium-ion batteries in just nine days.

A fire in southern Sydney linked to a “makeshift power supply” for an e-bike has become the 14th fire relating to lithium-ion batteries in just nine days.

The latest fire, which saw 10 people evacuated from an apartment block in Caringbah early Tuesday morning, is the 25th lithium-ion battery fire in NSW this year.

It has prompted Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) to reissue warnings of the dangerous, life-threatening practices.

“Lithium-ion batteries are a great convenience, but if not treated with respect, especially with e-bikes and e-scooters, they can be extremely dangerous,” FRNSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said.

Firefighters extinguished a the battery blaze in Sydney's south this morning. Picture: Fire and Rescue NSW

“They can ignite with explosive force, issuing toxic gas, and causing intense fires that spread rapidly.”

Firefighters identified a makeshift power supply, running from a light fitting to an e-bike on charge, as the cause of a garage fire at Taren Rd about 4.20am.

Eight firefighters and two fire trucks rushed to the apartment block where they found a small fire in the single-vehicle garage, under the block of units.

The firefighters evacuated the residents and extinguished the flames. There were no reports of injuries.

The damaged equipment from the fire. Picture: Fire and Rescue NSW

The makeshift power supply, running from a light fitting to an e-bike, which started the blaze this morning. Picture: Fire and Rescue NSW

A makeshift, do-it-yourself charging system was established to power the bike’s lithium-ion battery.

Supt Adam Dewberry said it appeared the battery had overheated, sending the power pack into “thermal runaway”, causing it to “explode in flames”.

He said the homemade battery-charging set up, in which an electric cable ran from a light fitting to the e-bike, was very concerning for fire crews.

“Never mix and match your batteries and chargers,” he said. “Always use the charger purchased with the device.

The damage the blaze left behind. Picture: Fire and Rescue NSW

“I cannot say this strongly enough – do not modify your chargers or batteries, do not make your own batteries.’’

There were 318 such fires in NSW last year, 272 in 2023 and 165 in 2022.

FRNSW advises never to sleep or leave home with your lithium-battery-powered devices charging, not to leave them constantly on charge and not to throw any batteries in the rubbish because they can start garbage truck or rubbish tip fires when compacted.

Councils and recycling centres can be contacted for disposal advice.

They also advise to avoid dropping, crushing or piercing battery cells, store batteries and devices in a cool, dry area, away from combustible materials and install active smoke alarms in your home or garage.