Family rushed to hospital after faulty e-scooter battery sparks house fire

A man has been rushed to hospital in a critical condition after a faulty e-scooter battery sparked a garage fire that then spread to the home.

A family has been rushed to hospital after a faulty e-scooter battery caught fire in a southern Sydney home.

Emergency services were called to Prices Circuit in Woronora just before 3am following reports of a garage fire.

The blaze erupted in the garage but spread to the home, with NSW Police finding the home “well alight” by the time they arrived on scene.

A NSW Ambulance spokesperson said four adults and one child were treated at the scene.

A man was rushed to hospital with ‘severe burns’. Picture: 7News

A 52-year-old man was rushed to Royal North Shore hospital in a critical condition after suffering leg and inhalation injuries, with a NSW Police spokesperson confirming he suffered “severe burns”.

A 68-year-old woman and 53-year-old man were also taken to St George and Sutherland hospitals for smoke inhalation in serious but stable conditions.

Nearby residents were evacuated as a precaution.

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) investigators believe a faulty e-scooter battery caused the “intense garage and house fire”, according to a statement.

“After initial inspections, FRNSW investigators believe that the battery of a charging e-scooter failed, causing it to go into ‘thermal runaway’, sparking the blaze,” the FRNSW statement said.

The blaze is believed to have been caused by a faulty e-scooter battery. Picture: Fire and Rescue NSW

Three fire trucks and 12 firefighters worked to put out the blaze. Picture: 7 NEWS.

Three fire trucks and 12 firefighters worked to put out the blaze for about 90 minutes.

FRNSW urged residents to “adhere to safe charging practices” for e-bikes, e-scooters and e-skateboards, including having active smoke alarms in homes and garages and purchasing reputable lithium-ion battery brands, warning people not to “mix and match components”.

“FRNSW has responded to 81 micro mobility incidents this year, which is an average rate of two per week,” the statement read.

Aussies have also been urged not to leave devices charging in bedrooms or on highly flammable materials as well as beds and sofas, suggesting people should charge devices outside if possible.