Fire and Rescue NSW has reported at least 35 lithium-ion battery fires across the state so far this year, with the City of Sydney local government area recording the highest number since 2022. The latest statistics come after a 21-year-old man died in a Guildford house fire believed to be started by a charging e-bike.
Since 2022, the City of Sydney LGA has seen 71 battery fires, followed by Canterbury-Bankstown with 39, Cumberland with 37, and Blacktown and the Central Coast each with 36. Specific suburbs with high counts include Auburn (9 fires), Bankstown, Liverpool, and Waterloo (6 each).
Micromobility vehicles such as e-bikes and e-scooters are the leading cause of fires in 2025, a shift from last year when small portable devices caused the most incidents. NSW Fire and Rescue Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell warned against charging these devices overnight, citing wear and tear and the use of incompatible chargers as key risk factors.
Commissioner Fewtrell noted that price pressures on battery production can lead to less safe products. He emphasized that many fires occur when devices are overcharged, and that smoke alarms have been crucial in preventing injuries. New product safety standards introduced on February 1 require retailers to provide safety information with e-bikes and e-scooters, with fines of up to $825,000 for non-compliance.
