0
0
Dozens of backpackers have fled a hostel blaze sparked by an e-bike battery left on charge in Sydney’s inner suburbs.
The fire broke out about 9.15am on Wednesday at the hostel on Darlinghurst Rd, Potts Point.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: CCTV captures suspected battery explosion in hotel.
Watch the latest news and stream for free on 7plus >>
Some 70 backpackers were evacuated.
A crew of six fire trucks and 22 firefighters battled the blaze.
CCTV footage from a hallway inside the hostel shows the incredible moment a backpacker is seen talking to a friend when a device suddenly explodes into flames.
Phillipe* was waiting outside a room for his friend Hugo* when the explosion happened.
He went to battle the blaze, but quickly changed his mind and both men ran to safety before heading to nearby Kings Cross Police Station for help.
CCTV footage from a hallway inside the hostel shows the moment the blaze is sparked. Credit: FRNSWPhillipe was waiting for his friend when an e-bike exploded at the hostel he was staying at on Darlinghurst Rd in Potts Point. Credit: 7NEWS
Hugo, aged in his 20s, suffered minor burns to his leg and was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital.
“I was like shocked, just shocked,” Phillipe told 7NEWS.
“I’m OK. And lucky to be here and intact here.”
Other backpackers were pulled out of bed.
“I was just in bed and I heard an alarm going off,” Cameron Brandon said. “I thought it was a car alarm.”
One resident told 7NEWS they had “got a lot of stories for when I come back home for sure”.
E-bike battery the suspected cause
Fire and Rescue NSW say the fire is suspected to have been sparked by a faulty e-bike battery left on charge.
FRNSW Superintendent Adam Newberry told 7NEWS all persons were accounted for.
“Firefighters have extinguished a fire in a single room,” he said.
Lithium batteries are the fastest growing fire risk, FRNSW Superintendent Grant Rice told 7NEWS.
“Make sure you are charging them appropriately, using the correct chargers,” he said.
Darlinghurst Rd was closed in both directions on Wednesday morning but has since reopened.
Investigations are ongoing.
*Surnames withheld.
Teen suddenly collapses and dies in front of school
Woman fighting for life after car smashes into ute
If you’d like to view this content, please adjust your Cookie Settings.
To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide.
