Battery fire rips through electric bike shop

Multiple people have been evacuated from their inner-city Sydney apartments after fire tore through an e-bike store in Chippendale.

Firefighters suspect the blaze was sparked by a dodgy lithium battery shortly before 1am on Sunday.

About 50 residents were evacuated after emergency services were called to the Shepherd St business, after reports from concerned residents in the area.

A Fire and Rescue NSW spokesman said firefighters found smoke billowing from behind a roller shutter door of an e-bike store on the ground floor.

“Firefighters identified a lithium battery they suspect was the cause of the fire,” the spokesman said.

“It had been damaged, they submerged it in water.”

While firefighters were working to make the building safe, about 50 residents who lived above the shopfront were evacuated.

No injuries have been reported.

The spokesman said the residents were allowed to return to their homes about 3.30am after firefighters used positive pressure ventilation equipment that moved the smoke out of the building.

A gas detection test was also carried out to ensure the building was safe.

“It’s a timely reminder that people who are charging lithium battery banks should only do so when they’re supervised,” the FRNSW spokesman said.

“Don’t charge overnight and closely supervise them being charged.”