Firefighters rescue three people and a dog from suspected e-bike blaze - Merrylands West
Published: 16 Jan 2025 03:32pm
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews have rescued three people and a dog, trapped by a second storey unit fire at Merrylands West, in Sydney.
Just after 9.45am today, more than 40 firefighters and ten fire trucks, including an aerial ladder appliance, responded to numerous Triple Zero (000) calls to a fire on the second floor of a residential building in Arcadia Street, amid reports of people trapped.
A working smoke alarm alerted a woman inside the unit to the flames.
She opened a bedroom door to find thick, black smoke billowing from an e-bike that had been on charge.
The toxic smoke prevented the woman from exiting the unit, so she sheltered in the bedroom and called Triple Zero (000).
On arrival, FRNSW crews observed flames and large volumes of smoke from the unit.
Firefighters brought the fire under control and, using an aerial ladder truck, rescued the woman and her dog through the bedroom window.
A man and a woman on the balcony above the burning unit were also rescued by firefighters.
The fire was contained to the level two unit.
The remainder of the block was affected by smoke, and crews ventilated the property.
Crews completed their operations just after 11.15am and the handed the site over to FRNSW and NSW Police investigators who are examining the e-bike as the suspected cause.
When charging lithium-ion battery devices, FRNSW recommends:
- Never charge in exits or anywhere that would prevent you from escaping in the event of a fire
- Install active smoke alarms in your home/garage
- Always buy reputable lithium-ion battery brands and never ‘mix and match’ components
- Don’t leave devices charging in bedrooms or on beds, sofas or around highly flammable materials
- Try to charge devices outside if possible
- Beware of cheap, substandard lithium-ion battery-powered devices
- Avoid dropping, crushing or piercing battery cells
- If lithium-ion batteries are damaged or compromised, dispose of them properly
- Don’t throw them out in the rubbish, they can start garbage truck or rubbish tip fires when compacted
- Contact your local, approved recycling centre for disposal advice
- Store batteries and devices in a cool, dry area, away from combustible materials
- Ensure you have a home evacuation plan in the event of fire
***Media note: Footage of the incident, including the rescue of the dog, is available here: https://vimeo.com/1047348410/f2b1e8386d [external link]
Updated: 16 Jan 2025 03:42pm
Related safety topics
It's important that we all understand the risks of lithium-ion batteries and be prepared if things go wrong.
It“s the law to have at least one working smoke alarm installed on every level of your home.
The best way to keep you and your family safe is to prevent fires from occurring and know what to do in case of a fire.
Details about this incident may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice.
For all life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000)
For flood information, warnings or requests for non-life threatening assistance, call the SES on 132 500 or visit the NSW State Emergency Service website here. [external link].
For information directly relating to bushfires please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link]
Stations nearby
340 Merrylands Road, Merrylands NSW 2160
263 Guildford Road, Guildford NSW 2161
6 Garfield Street, Wentworthville NSW 2145