Plus
You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image.
A faulty electric bike battery is suspected to have caused a fire that badly damaged Stoked Cycles in Ashburton.
It is understood an eBike battery was charging when it began sparking and burst into flames.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand was called to the bike shop on Burnett St last Monday about 12.30pm.
Stoked Cycles staff were able to safely exit the building while the fire alarm sounded.
Two crewed fire trucks responded, supported by additional crew, as smoke billowed from the store’s front door.
Ashburton volunteer chief fire officer Alan Burgess said a fire investigator had visited the scene and agreed the fire had likely started as a result of a faulty battery or charger.
Burgess said the store had sustained “reasonable damage in the rear of the building where the fire started, in the workshop area”.
He said sprinklers inside the store were activated in response to the building’s fire alarm, and there was “heavy smoke damage and water damage through the rest of the store”.
He also said “a substantial amount of stock will be affected, either through smoke, heat, (or) water damage”.
Outside the building, one or two people were seen being treated with oxygen.
Burgess said the treatment was for “minor” smoke inhalation and was a precautionary measure.
Overall, he said the fire was handled pretty well and the Ashburton volunteer fire crews who attended managed to bring it all under control.
Stoked Cycles said on their Facebook page: “Sadly we will be closed for the next wee while.”
-By Indi Roberts
We are the South’s eyes and ears in crucial council meetings, at court hearings, on the sidelines of sporting events and on the frontline of breaking news.
As our region faces uncharted waters in the wake of a global pandemic, Otago Daily Times continues to bring you local stories that matter.
We employ local journalists and photographers to tell your stories, as other outlets cut local coverage in favour of stories told out of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
You can help us continue to bring you local news you can trust by becoming a supporter.