Man in hospital after lithium-ion e-bike battery fire erupts at Bankstown, Sydney

A man is in hospital after a lithium-ion battery in his e-bike caught fire, with dramatic footage from the scene showing firefighters confronting a smoky haze.

A man is in hospital after an e-bike caught fire inside an apartment complex on Thursday, with 25 firefighters deployed to tame the blaze.

The fire broke out on the third level of a 10-storey Bankstown apartment in Sydney on Thursday morning about 6.30am, with a lithium-ion battery to blame.

Dramatic footage from the scene shows firefighters entering the building to confront hazy smoke-filled rooms in the early morning.

Four people were inside when the fire erupted, but a sprinkler system contained and largely extinguished the fire, NSW Fire and Rescue stated.

The rescue service said one of the occupants attempted to move the e-bike as it was catching alight and suffered a superficial burn to his hand.

NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the 30-year-old man before taking him to hospital for further treatment.

A e-bike caught fire inside an apartment complex in Bankstown on March 14 about 6.30am. Picture: Supplied

Fire crews extinguished the blaze and ventilated the building.

The e-bike was plugged in and on-charge at the time of the fire, the rescue service added.

“Lithium-ion batteries that are compromised can go into a process known as thermal runaway, which can create toxic and flammable vapours, triggering an explosion or an otherwise life-threatening situation for those nearby,“ FRNSW Acting Superintendent Mathew Sigmund said.

“Firefighters recommend not leaving lithium-ion batteries on charge once they have reached capacity, not to charge batteries near exits from buildings, on or near combustible surfaces, or while people are sleeping.”

The Bankstown fire follows similar incidents across Sydney in recent months.

On October 21, 30 people fled for their lives after a suspected lithium-ion e-bike battery burst into flames at a high-rise apartment complex Wolli Creek about 6pm.

The battery was on charge when it burst into flames, FRNSW said, setting fire to a bed

On October 4, an e-bike battery exploded at a Sydney hostel, causing a fire to rip through the two-storey building.

CCTV caught the incredible moment the battery exploded, with two backpackers at the Mad Monkey Downtown Backpackers leaving their room into a hallway at 9.08am when a fireball suddenly explodes through the doorway.

Originally published as Man in hospital after lithium-ion e-bike battery fire erupts at Bankstown, Sydney