Tourist hostel caught fire due to explosion in e-bike battery
A very shocking moment was captured in the CCTV camera of Sydney tourist hostel. When the battery of an e-bike exploded, causing a massive fire in a multi-storey building. Due to the fire, more than 70 backpackers were forced to evacuate immediately. Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has shared this video on social media, which is now going viral. The video begins at 9:08 a.m. with two backpackers exiting their room at the Mad Monkey Downtown Backpackers Hostel when flames suddenly burst out of the door due to a lithium-ion battery explosion.
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Two backpackers narrowly escaped the explosion, but the fire spread rapidly, engulfing the hallway and forcing everyone in the hostel to evacuate. The two men ran for safety before going to the nearby Kings Cross police station to seek help. A 20-year-old man suffered minor burns to his leg and was taken to St. Vincent’s Hospital for further treatment.
Two backpackers made a lucky escape from a Lithium-ion battery fireball at a hostel in Darlinghurst, Sydney this morning. It’s believed an e-bike exploded. Learn about battery safety here: https://t.co/vWejAIwUNupic.twitter.com/zJGf184KuS
— Fire and Rescue NSW (@FRNSW) October 4, 2023
According to a statement from FRNSW, 22 firefighters and six fire engines have been deployed to Darlinghurst Road, where the fire broke out. Firefighters immediately reached the scene and were successful in extinguishing the fire, but the fire had already caused extensive damage to the building.
Experts from FRNSW’s Fire Investigation and Research Unit (FIRU) are working with NSW Police to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, but it is believed the e-bike’s battery was faulty and caused the explosion.