E-bike battery blaze destroys family home and business in Murwillumbah
A fire caused by an e-bike lithium-ion battery ripped through a family house and workshop in South Murwillumbah, leaving the owners with severe losses.
In the early morning hours, a fire ignited beneath a house in South Murwillumbah, quickly engulfing the residence and an adjoining e-bike workshop run by Mick Parkhill and his partner. Parkhill, who heard a noise and initially thought of a break-in, attempted to use a fire blanket to quell the flames before crawling out with his family. NSW Fire and Rescue sent multiple units, and it took close to three hours to bring the blaze under control.
The inferno destroyed the home and a stock of about 70 e-bikes, valued at roughly $500,000, after the owners stored lithium-ion batteries inside the house rather than in a dedicated storage area. Police are investigating the cause, and fire inspector Tim Climo highlighted the difficulty of extinguishing lithium-battery fires and urged safer charging practices. Parkhill intends to rebuild the business, acknowledging his error and the heavy personal and financial toll.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the fire risks of improperly stored lithium-ion batteries in homes and small businesses.
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