Backpackers sent scrambling as fire breaks out after battery explosion

CCTV has captured the incredible moment a lithium battery exploded in a Sydney hostel, causing more than 70 backpackers to flee the flames.

CCTV has caught the incredible moment an e-bike battery exploded at a Sydney hostel, causing a fire to rip through the two-storey building and pushing more than 70 backpackers to flee to safety.

The video shows 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.

Two backpackers were caught up in a fireball explosion after a suspected faulty e-bike battery exploded at a Sydney hostel on Wednesday morning. Picture: Supplied

NSW Fire and Rescue said a suspected faulty e-bike lithium-ion battery left on charge had likely sparked the explosion.

FRNSW deployed 22 firefighters and six fire trucks to Darlinghurst Road to battle the blaze.

More than 70 tourists fled the fire into the streets. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

Philippe said he was 'lucky to be here' after surviving the blaze. Picture: 7News

A NSW Fire spokesman said the building was “well alight” when the fire crews arrived.

The two men caught up in the explosion were French nationals and they fled to safety before attending the nearby Kings Cross Police station to ask for help.

One of the men, Philippe, was shaken but unhurt.

“I was like shocked, just shocked,” Phillipe told 7NEWS.

“I’m OK. And lucky to be here and intact here.”

His friend Hugo suffered burns to his leg.

Firefighters and police responded after Mad Monkey Downtown Backpackers in Kings Cross went up in flames on Wednesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

Police and paramedics were also called in to assist the fire crews.

The other man Hugo, aged in his 20s, suffered minor burns to his leg and was taken to St Vincent‘s Hospital for further treatment.

NSW emergency services allocated massive resources to the fire, including multiple police, fire and ambulance crews. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

Emergency personnel evacuated another 70 people from the building, while the surrounding streets were shut down for the response.

All the people in the hostel have been accounted for.

Lithium batteries are one of the fastest growing fire risks, FRNSW Superintendent Grant Rice told 7NEWS.

“Make sure you are charging them appropriately, using the correct chargers,” he said.

A fireman being doused in water after attending to the blaze. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

Nearby streets were cordoned off. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

Originally published as Backpackers sent scrambling as fire breaks out after battery explosion