On March 24, 2025, a severe fire broke out in a multi-story building in downtown Sydney, Australia, leading to the collapse of parts of this historic building.
Incident Details:
The fire was reported around 4:00 PM on Randle Street. Over 120 firefighters with 30 emergency vehicles were dispatched to the scene. The flames quickly spread within the building, raising concerns about the structural integrity of the building.
Possible Cause:
Initial investigations suggest that a battery of an electric bicycle, being charged with an incompatible charger, may have been the primary cause of the fire. The battery overheated due to its inability to absorb enough energy, which led to the fire. Additionally, the lack of a smoke detection system in the building intensified the incident.
Safety Recommendations:
The New South Wales Fire and Rescue Department advises citizens to always use the designated charger for each device and avoid mixing different batteries and chargers to prevent similar