A tragic incident in Western Sydney has raised serious concerns about the safety of lithium-ion batteries after 21-year-old Pakistani student, Haider Ali, lost his life in a devastating fire. Ali worked as a delivery rider for Uber and DoorDash.
Incident Details
Haider Ali was asleep in his sharehouse when his e-bike battery exploded in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Firefighters responded at 5 a.m. and managed to contain the fire to a single room, but Ali was unable to escape. Five other residents survived the incident.
Experts Issue Warning
The President of the Pakistan Association of Australia, Hamid Saroha, urged people to avoid using low-quality lithium battery-powered e-bikes.
“Please do not use substandard e-bikes that rely on lithium charging. These incidents are becoming more frequent and can have deadly consequences.”
Eyewitness Accounts
Neighbor Bruce McPherson described the horrifying scene:
“There was a massive explosion, and then I saw flames engulfing the room. Smoke was pouring out of the roof. A man was standing outside, completely on fire—it was terrifying.”
Efforts to Repatriate Haider Ali’s Body
Ali’s friends and colleagues are now raising funds to send his body back to Pakistan.
“His family deserves the chance to say a final goodbye,” said Babar Anwar, a friend and coworker. A GoFundMe campaign is being set up for the cause.
Rising Threat of Lithium-Ion Battery Fires
This incident has reignited concerns about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries, especially in e-bikes and e-scooters.
- Fire and Rescue NSW reported 28 lithium battery-related fires since the start of 2025.
- In 2024, 323 such incidents were recorded.
Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry stated:
“Lithium battery fires spread rapidly, emit toxic smoke, and are extremely difficult to control.”
According to Monash University, e-bike-related injuries have surged, with 534 emergency cases recorded between 2017 and 2023 in Victoria alone.
Calls for Stricter Regulations
Experts are now demanding stricter regulations on the sale and use of lithium-powered mobility devices.
Dr. Hadi Haghani, an associate professor at the University of Melbourne, stressed:
“We lack sufficient data on e-bike accidents, making it difficult to develop effective policies. We need better safety standards, licensing, and monitoring.”
Authorities’ Safety Guidelines
Authorities are urging e-bike users to:
✅ Only buy e-bikes that meet Australian safety standards
✅ Avoid charging batteries overnight
✅ Keep batteries away from flammable materials
This tragic loss has put a spotlight on the hidden dangers of e-bikes and the urgent need for stricter regulations and safety awareness.
