A tragic house fire in Guildford, Sydney, claimed the life of a 21-year-old Pakistani national, Haider Ali. The incident occurred early this morning when the fire engulfed a bedroom in a sharehouse located on Rowley Road. Emergency services responded promptly around 5am, managing to contain the blaze to one room; however, Ali was unable to escape and died at the scene despite paramedics’ efforts to revive him. Five other residents were able to evacuate safely.
Having emigrated from Pakistan to Australia just 18 months ago, Ali worked as a food delivery driver, using an e-bike for his job. Authorities are investigating the fire’s cause, with preliminary indications suggesting a lithium-ion battery may be involved. FRNSW Assistant Commissioner Michael Morris expressed concerns about the increasing fatalities associated with electric bike batteries, highlighting the ongoing risks. A report will be submitted to the coroner regarding the incident, and police have urged anyone with pertinent information to contact Crime Stoppers.