Bristol Township home damaged after e-bike battery explodes, residents escape
BRISTOL TOWNSHIP, Pa. - A sudden e-bike battery explosion sparked a fire inside a Bristol Township home Friday morning, officials said.
What we know:
Homeowners said their son’s friend brought an e-bike inside and plugged it in to charge overnight. Just after 10:00 a.m. Friday, they heard a loud explosion and saw flames and sparks coming from the e-bike.
The homeowners reported a sudden, loud explosion with flames and sparks shooting from the e-bike. They said the sparks and flames ignited a nearby couch, chair, and an ottoman about 20 feet away.
Several residents escaped the burning home, with some going out a second floor window to get to safety.
One homeowner suffered minor burns and cuts while dragging the burning e-bike out a rear door and trying to put out the fire with a garden hose. The hose had little effect on the e-bike, which kept reigniting even outside, officials said.
The home sustained heat and smoke damage in addition to the destroyed furniture. The e-bike’s owner told homeowners the battery had been replaced only a few days earlier.
What we don't know:
It is not yet clear what caused the battery to explode or if the replacement battery was faulty.
The Source: Information from the Bristol Township Fire Department.