Amazing video shows shocking moment two backpackers are nearly incinerated by e-bike explosion in their hostel
Two backpackers had a miraculous escape after nearly being incinerated by an exploding electric bike in their hostel.
The lithium-ion battery fireball happened on Wednesday morning at a hostel in Darlinghurst, central Sydney.
CCTV captured the horror moment the battery exploded in the hostel, sparking a fire which gutted the two-storey building and forced more than 70 backpackers to flee to safety.
The video showed two backpackers from the Mad Monkey Downtown Backpackers leaving their room in a hallway at 9:08 a.m. when the fireball suddenly exploded through the door.
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) said a suspected faulty e-bike lithium-ion battery left on charge likely triggered the explosion.
Two backpackers (pictured) were caught in a fireball explosion after a suspected faulty e-bike battery exploded at a Sydney hostel on Wednesday morning.
FRNSW deployed 22 firefighters and six fire engines to Darlinghurst Road to tackle the blaze.
A spokesperson said the building was “well ablaze” by the time firefighters arrived.
The two men involved in the explosion were French nationals and they fled to safety before going to the nearby Kings Cross police station to seek help.
Police and paramedics were also called to assist the firefighters.
One of the men, aged in his 20s, suffered minor burns to his leg and was taken to Saint-Vincent Hospital for treatment.
Emergency personnel evacuated another 70 people from the building, while surrounding streets were closed to respond.
The FRNSW Fire Investigation and Research Unit is working with NSW Police to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The lithium-ion battery fireball (pictured) happened at a hostel in Darlinghurst, central Sydney.
Firefighters are pictured at the scene of a fire at a hostel in Sydney on Wednesday morning.
The fire is believed to have been caused by a faulty lithium-ion battery from an electric bike left charging.
Emergency services evacuated around 70 people from the building, while surrounding streets were closed to respond.
The two men involved in the explosion were French nationals and they fled to safety before going to the nearby Kings Cross police station to seek help.
The Fire Investigation and Research Unit is working with NSW Police to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. The firefighters are in photo
