A house in east Perth has been severely damaged by a fire, which reportedly originated from a lithium-ion battery charging in an e-bike. The incident occurred in Guildford and has since led police to uncover a suspected stockpile of stolen items within the property.
The fire broke out at approximately 8:30 am, sending thick smoke and flames up Bank Street. Upon arrival, around 25 firefighters found the century-old home extensively damaged and worked in challenging conditions to protect the surrounding area. Rob Johnstone from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services noted that the structure, built in 1925 from old jarrah timber, burned intensely once exposed to a strong heat source.
As the firefighters managed the blaze, they discovered an allegedly stolen silver Lexus hidden in the backyard, raising further suspicions. While the fire laid waste to much of the home, a garage remained unscathed – and here authorities found multiple electric bikes and e-scooters that they suspect were also stolen. A 40-year-old resident at the site has been arrested as inquiries ensue.
Witnesses described hearing loud popping sounds prior to the flames engulfing the property, and firefighters faced additional difficulties due to the clutter both inside and outside, which exacerbated the rapid spread of the fire.
In a separate incident just an hour earlier, another fire completely destroyed a home in Redcliffe, marking a day of twin incidents in the area.
The investigation into both fires continues, but it was confirmed that the battery of the e-bike was flat and had reportedly been charging for several hours before the fire erupted. Fire investigators remain on the scene, sifting through the aftermath to determine the exact cause of the incident.