Lithium Fire Claims 2 Storey E-Bike Factory

60 firefighters and 15 fire trucks attended a fire at an e-bike factory at Croydon, in Sydney's inner-west on Jan. 5, 2024. Courtesy of Fire and Rescue NSW

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is investigating the cause of a large fire that engulfed a two-storey e-bike factory in Croydon, Sydney’s inner west.

Over 60 firefighters and 15 fire trucks were sent to Elizabeth Street, where the fire began in a small building behind a row of shops shortly before 5 a.m on Jan 5.

FRNSW firefighters battled for over two hours to control the fire, attacking it from outside the e-bike factory due to concerns about its potential structural collapse.

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Superintendent Joshua Turner expressed concern about the potential dangers linked to lithium batteries and electricity storage units in the e-bike repair centre.

60 firefighters and 15 fire trucks attended a fire at an e-bike factory at Croydon, in Sydney's inner-west on Jan. 5, 2024. Courtesy of Fire and Rescue NSW

“Lithium batteries maintain a high level of heat when they’re on fire, and they don’t go out as easily as other fuel sources,” he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

“Fire rescue is doing a lot of work in researching lithium batteries and the effect it’s going to have on firefighting in the future.”

FRNSW footage and photos capture the flames engulfing and scorching e-bikes in the factory.

Meanwhile, flames surged above the powerlines near the factory as firefighters fought to contain them.

Firefighters remain at the scene, working to extinguish lingering hotspots, with support from crews in aerial fire trucks.

60 firefighters and 15 fire trucks attended a fire at an e-bike factory at Croydon, in Sydney's inner-west on Jan. 5, 2024. Courtesy of Fire and Rescue NSW

NSW Police are also assisting.

“No one is believed to be inside & nearby buildings have been evacuated as a precaution,” Burwood Police wrote on X.

No injuries have been reported.

Superintendent Trent Lawrence added it’s too early to identify the cause of the fire, but residents should be prepared for some inconvenience.

“There may be some power interruptions for some of those local residents,” he said.

“There are some houses at the rear, there may be some exclusion zones for residents but only minor at this stage, and we have police on the scene assisting with road closures.”

Elizabeth Street was shut between Frederick & Edwin Streets after the fire broke out, and traffic was redirected away from the area.

It comes after residents nearby anxiously waited on Elizabeth Street in the morning, hoping the fire wouldn’t escalate.

At the same time, a nearby petrol station was evacuated for precautionary reasons.

The incident follows a series of recent e-bike-related fires in NSW.

FRNSW crews saved an inner-city basement-level studio apartment from a faulty Li-ion e-bike battery explosion and fire on Oct. 16 at 11:20 a.m.

An image showing fire after a lithium battery was said to explode at a Sydney hostel. Courtesy of Fire and Rescue NSW