An apartment complex was evacuated early this morning after a fire broke out at an electric bike rental store.
Around 50 residents were evacuated from the three-storey Axis apartments in Chippendale, Sydney, at around 12.45am on Sunday.
Emergency crews were called to the store on Shepherd Street, where they forced open a roll-up door and found a large lithium battery burning inside.
NSW Fire and Rescue Inspector Bryce Jonas said crews quickly located the e-bike sales and repair shop on the ground floor.
“We were struggling to find the source of the fire, but after some perseverance we managed to find an electric bike battery burning at the back of the store,” he told Daily Mail Australia.
An apartment complex has been evacuated in the early hours of the morning after a dangerous fire broke out at an electric bike rental shop.
Around 50 residents were evacuated from the three-storey Axis Apartments building in Sydney’s city center at around 12.45am on Sunday.
“They produce a lot of smoke and gas, so we’ll put them in the bucket of water for 24 to 48 hours.”
About 30 residents left alone with firefighters, equipped with breathing apparatus, and climbed the stairs to evacuate the rest.
Nathanial and her two daughters, who slept through the evacuation alarm, spoke about the moment they were rescued.
“We were sleeping in the apartment building and the firefighters woke us up by knocking on the door to evacuate and then we left,” he said.
“When we woke up we knew what was happening…the apartment was pretty full of smoke.”
According to Fire and Rescue NSW, there have already been 63 lithium-ion battery fires in 2024, or 5.7 per week.
Many residents are furious that a shop that charged lithium batteries was allowed to operate beneath a residential block.
“Electric bikes are good for the environment, but you have to think about your neighbors,” said a resident who preferred to remain anonymous.
Another added: “It’s so dangerous I don’t feel safe now.” How is this allowed?’
Jackie McPartland, a German tourist staying with her partner, said they had arrived in Australia just four days earlier.
Jackie McPartland, a German tourist staying with her partner, said they had arrived in Australia just four days earlier.
“We’re actually flying to Uluru tomorrow morning, very early, so we’re hoping to get back to bed soon,” he said.
“We actually checked the back once and then realized there was a little bit of smoke, and then we grabbed our keys and a bag and headed straight out.”
“We won’t get much sleep, but no one is hurt and that’s the main thing.”
No injuries have been reported.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.