Fire and Rescue NSW respond to four lithium battery fires in less than 12 hours across Sydney

Firefighters have responded to four lithium battery fires in less than 12 hours across Sydney with claims some of the fires were started from unqualified people modifying their e-bike and e-scooters.

Firefighters have responded to four lithium battery fires in just 12 hours across Sydney with claims some of the fires started from unqualified people modifying their e-bike and e-scooters.

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Superintendent Adam Dewberry said crews have been responding to lithium battery fires almost daily, with four fresh fires taking place overnight.

Two of the fires occurred in Parramatta and Granville with Mr Dewberry reporting a women had been treated for smoke inhalation.

“These four fires that we’ve had have been since nine o’clock last night,” Mr Dewberry told 2GB.

“In less than 12 hours we’ve had four fires related to e-bike, e-scooters.”

According to FRNSW statistics, Mr Dewberry said the growing trend of lithium-ion battery fires was continuing to worsen.

Superintendent Adam Dewberry. Picture: Newswire/ Gaye Gerard

While admitting regulations had been tightened, Mr Dewberry added that he believed two out of the four fires overnight resulted from “people that are either trying to make their own e-bike or modify and repair e-bikes”.

“That’s a real concern … the people who are fixing them, and I’m seeing it a lot, just aren’t qualified to fix them,” he said.

Fire and Rescue NSW responded to four fires in less than 12 hours overnight. They previously released this footage demonstrating how quickly a lithium-ion battery fire can take hold. Picture: Supplied/ Fire and Rescue NSW

“They’re trying to mix and match, put three bikes together to make one, same with scooters, they’re using the wrong chargers.”

Mr Dewberry’s advice was just don’t do it.

“Last night a lady was exposed to a fire in (her) unit block … she was a neighbour and (had) smoke inhalation,” he said.

Extraordinary CCTV footage, obtained by Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW), has captured the moment two backpackers were caught in a fireball when a Lithium-ion battery exploded inside a hostel today at Darlinghurst, in inner Sydney back in 2023. Photo: RFS / Supplied

“Two gentlemen this morning … (suffered) burns and shrapnel.”

Mr Dewberry said “burns are lifelong”, very painful and life threatening and it was important for those dealing with these batteries to not just take care of them, but dispose them properly, either through their council instead of putting them in a bin.

Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]