Three people hospitalised after house fire caused by e-scooter in Woronora in Sydney’s south

Three people have been rushed to hospital after a fire caused by an e-scooter battery ripped through a home in Sydney’s south on Tuesday morning, forcing nearby residents to evacuate.

Three people were rushed to hospital. Picture: Fire and Rescue NSW Station 90 Menai

Three people have been rushed to hospital after a fire ripped through a home in Sydney’s south on Tuesday morning, forcing nearby residents to evacuate.

Firefighters have confirmed an e-scooter is the likely cause of the blaze at the Woronora property on Prices Circuit, which started just after 3am.

A dozen firefighters with multiple fire trucks including a Pumper and CAFS (compressed air foam system) tanker battled the blaze at the scene.

On arrival firefighters saw the property well alight, and “crews quickly got to work to extinguish the fire and conduct a search,” Fire and Rescue NSW Menai station said in a statement.

A home in Sydney's south was gutted by fire overnight. Picture: Fire and Rescue NSW Station 90 Menai

The dwelling was partially destroyed. Picture: Fire and Rescue NSW Station 90 Menai

The home was partially destroyed and three of its occupants were transported to hospital

A 52-year-old man suffered severe burns and was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in serious condition.

The home in Woronora on Tuesday morning. Picture: Aymon Bertah

A 68-year-old woman and a 53-year-old man were also hospitalised for smoke inhalation.

As a precaution, nearby residents were evacuated.

NSW Fire and Rescue Superintendent Adam Dewberry said early indications has led firefighters to believe that the blaze started from a e-scooter which was charging in the garage.

The fire started in the garage. Picture: Fire and Rescue NSW Station 90 Menai

An e-battery is the likely suspect of the blaze. Picture: Aymon Bertah

On Tuesday morning, Fire and Rescue officers inspected the scene, taking out the charred remains of a scooter and taking pictures of the garage.

It comes as Fire and Rescue NSW has responded to more than 80 of these types of devices “this year alone”.

“They are a great convenience, however some of them do come with an element of risk,” he said..

Mr Dewberry said people should be “careful” with how they use their devices, especially not charging their e-scooters or bikes overnight while people are asleep in the house.

With FRNSW responding to almost two devices a week, he encouraged people to be more conscious about where people are buying the products and to look at more reputable outlets.

“Be careful buying secondhand, make sure your battery meets the right charger, don’t leave them on charge overnight or when you’re asleep,” he said.

“The concern is we are seeing these fires, (and) we want people to know that they can catch fire and just to take appropriate (action).”

A burnt e-scooter at the home. Picture: Aymon Bertah

Mr Dewberry said there were multiple factors which could lead to fires and people shouldn’t be complacent because “we see battery fires in good reputable brand power tools as well”.

“Even if you drop your battery, you’ve got to be careful,” he said.

He said fires in homes can be “very toxic”.

Mr Dewberry said people should me “careful” with how they use their devices, especially not charging their e-scooters or bikes overnight while people are asleep in the house.

He said fires in homes can be “very toxic”.

“There’s lots of plastics and rubbers and furnishings that burn and produce significant and dangerous deadly chemicals,” Mr Dewberry said.

“The carbon monoxide in the fire just attaches to the blood cells and it can be fatal.”

Police and paramedics were also in attendance. Picture: Fire and Rescue NSW Station 90 Menai

Crews working through the scene. Picture: Aymon Bertah

One nearby resident was woken up to what they “would’ve sworn … were gunshots”.

“About eight, 10 or 12 of them that woke me,” he said.

“I came onto the balcony and I saw smoke … I was wondering what the smoke is, I didn’t realise there was a fire.”

The resident said he could hear people yelling outside the front of the house and “the next thing” were sirens from emergency services.

“Police seemed to stay here for an hour or more,” he said.

“I’m shocked to see it’s just an e-scooter.”

Police have since established a crime scene and initiated an investigation into the cause of the fire.

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