E-bike catches fire after lithium battery explosion on Watkins Street, Erskineville

An e-bike has gone up in flames on an inner west street after a lithium battery exploded, in the latest in a string of similar incidents.

An e-bike has gone up in flames on an inner west street after a lithium battery exploded, in the latest in a string of similar incidents.

The fire occurred on Watkins St in Erskineville on Tuesday afternoon as children travelled home from school.

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Superintendent Adam Dewberry confirmed a lithium battery had exploded, sparking the blaze.

Lisa King, who witnessed the aftermath, said the bike was in the centre of the road.

“It was like the whole bike was just in flames,” Ms King said.

An e-bike was on fire on Watkins Street in Erskineville. Picture: Supplied

“It was pretty full on to see. The flames were huge ... I believe the driver or the rider of the bike was in the front yard of somebody’s house getting a hose.”

Lithium battery blazes have been a constant issue for firefighters this year, with Supt Dewberry telling The Daily Telegraph in February crews were responding to them on an almost daily basis.

A man hoses the burnt e-bike after the fire. Picture: Supplied

FRNSW responded to four within 12 hours one day in February, while 14 garbage trucks caught fire across Sydney in January in incidents all thought to be triggered by the breakdown of lithium batteries.

He said they were often the result of unsafe lithium ion battery charging habits, with people leaving devices unattended, overcharging them or using low-quality chargers.

Waste Contractors and Recyclers Association executive director Brett Lemin said in February lithium batteries were in everything.

“From vapes to old phones, kids’ toys, electrical toothbrushes and, of course, the rapidly growing number in e-scooters and e-bikes,” he said.