Chilling pictures reveal devastating damage from Darlinghurst terrace inferno

An electric bike is to blame for a terrifying blaze that ripped through a Sydney terrace, with shocking new images revealing the damage.

Haunting new images reveal the blackened insides of a three-storey inner Sydney terrace whose seven residents are lucky to be alive.

An electric bike is to blame for the terrifying blaze that ripped through the Flinders Street home in Darlinghurst as the occupants slept inside.

They were woken by the sound of the smoke alarm about 6am, with some clambering down from the second-storey balcony to safety as the fire took hold.

Now, images from inside the home paint an eerie picture.

The blackened entrance to the home. Picture: FRNSW via NCA NewsWire

What’s left of the electric bike that caused the blaze. Picture: FRNSW via NCA NewsWire

The entire hallway and stairwell have been singed and the door to one of the bedrooms is completely black.

About 6am on Friday, more than 20 firefighters were called to the house where seven residents were rescued from the inferno.

Some sought refuge on the balcony, one was found near the home and another was spotted sheltering in a corner.

Fire crews combed through all floors of the three-storey building.

Occupants gathered outside their house wrapped in towels and blankets as police questioned others.

One resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, told NCA NewsWire the fire started in a common area and “was caused by an electric bike which was charging”.

She recalls hearing a “loud bang and sirens” that woke her.

Residents were sleeping when the blaze started. Picture: FRNSW via NCA NewsWire

They were forced outside the home and wrapped in towels and blankets. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

“I opened the door and there was fire,” she said. “And the firefighters were trying to put it out.”

She said everyone escaped unharmed but it was a “scary experience”.

Fire and Rescue NSW later confirmed the blaze was caused by an e-bike that was charging overnight.

“Firefighters arrived on scene to find a three-level terrace well alight,” they said.

“Four occupants managed to safely self-evacuate. Two occupants took refuge on the balcony with one still inside the home.

The home was well alight by the time fire crews arrived. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Erin Lyons

Thankfully, the home had a working smoke alarm. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

“Fire investigators have deemed the cause of the fire to be an e-bike that was left on charge overnight.

“Thankfully, the occupants had a working smoke alarm which alerted them to the fire.”

Four residents were treated at the scene, with two taken to hospital for further assessment.

Earlier reports suggested one suffered smoke inhalation and the other had a laceration.

Fire and Rescue NSW is now urging people to only charge e-bikes with the genuine manufacturer’s charger, and if the battery pack is damaged, get it repaired.