Amazing video shows shocking moment two backpackers are almost burned to death by an exploding e-bike in their hostel
Two backpackers have made a miraculous escape after being nearly burned to death by an exploding e-bike in their hostel.
The lithium-ion battery fireball occurred at a Darlinghurst hostel in central Sydney on Wednesday morning.
CCTV captured the horror moment the battery at the hostel exploded, causing a fire to break out in the two-storey building and forcing more than 70 backpackers to flee to safety.
The video showed two backpackers at the Mad Monkey Downtown Backpackers leaving their room in a hallway at 9:08 a.m. when the fireball suddenly exploded through the doorway.
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) said a suspected faulty lithium-ion e-bike battery that was still charged likely caused the explosion.
Two backpackers (pictured) were involved 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 spokesman said the building was ‘on fire’ when firefighters arrived.
The two men involved in the explosion were French nationals and fled to safety before going to nearby Kings Cross police station to ask for help.
Police and ambulance personnel were also called to assist the fire brigade.
One of the men, in his 20s, suffered minor burns to his leg and was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital for further treatment.
Emergency services evacuated a further 70 people from the building, while surrounding streets were closed for the response.
FRNSW’s Fire Investigation and Research Unit is working with NSW Police to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The lithium-ion battery fireball (pictured) occurred at a hostel in Darlinghurst in central Sydney
Firefighters are pictured at the scene of a hostel fire in Sydney on Wednesday morning
The fire is probably caused by a defective lithium-ion battery of an e-bike that is still charged
Emergency services evacuated about 70 people from the building, while surrounding streets were closed for the response
The two men involved in the explosion were French nationals and fled to safety before going to nearby Kings Cross police station to ask for help.
The Fire Investigation and Research Unit is working with NSW Police to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. Firefighters are depicted