Video captures e-bike bursting into flames in Dublin’s Ilac Shopping Centre

The e-bike caught fire outside McDonald’s in the Ilac Shopping Centre on Sunday and Dublin Fire Brigade raced to the scene.

There was nobody hurt in the fire which went from smoking to a blaze in a matter of seconds as staff stood in and extinguished the blaze quickly.

Fires on e-bikes often escalate quickly as the Lithium-ion battery produces its own oxygen, acting as an oxidative agent, adding to the speed and intensity of the fire.

“Firefighters were called to a city centre shopping centre yesterday where an electric bicycle caught fire inside the centre's mall.

“Staff managed to knock back the fire with an extinguisher before it could take hold,” the Dublin Fire Brigade said.

It is believed the battery of the vehicle overheated and caught fire, which sent the e-bike into flames quickly.

Dublin Fire Brigade urge owners of e-bikes to:

• Use the charger that came with the product to charge it. If you need a replacement, source a genuine charger from the manufacturer or retailer.
• Charge outside if possible. Never charge in the communal space of an apartment block, which is a protected fire escape route.
• If you must charge inside, charge in a location that will still allow you to escape from all the rooms in your home. For example, do not charge it in the hallway. Plan your escape routes in advance.
• Charge only for as long as it takes to reach a full charge. Do not charge overnight.
• Unplug the charger if you are leaving your home, even for a short while.
• Never cover e-scooters, e-bicycles or hoverboards with insulators, such as coats or jumpers. The battery will heat up during use and during charging and this heat needs to dissipate.
• If you notice your e-scooter, e-bicycle or hoverboard behaving erratically, this could be a sign the battery is damaged and needs replacing.