Residents evacuated as fierce townhouse blaze erupts in Mayfield overnight

Just before 2 am this morning, Fire & Rescue NSW responded to urgent calls of a townhouse fire at a two-storey building on the corner of Maitland Road and Woodstock Street in Newcastle.

Six fire trucks and 20 firefighters arrived to find flames quickly spreading in one of the townhouses within an eight-unit complex.

Fortunately, all occupants had evacuated safely with assistance from neighbours before emergency services arrived. However, four people were transported to hospital as a precaution.

Crews took about an hour to contain the blaze, preventing significant damage to nearby residences, although one adjoining unit suffered minor damage.

Fire & Rescue NSW’s Adam Dewberry said that several lithium-ion e-bike batteries in thermal runaway had been found at the scene, likely intensifying the fire.

Spokesman Adam Dewberry described the incident as a “lucky escape,” warning that most fire fatalities occur due to smoke inhalation and stressing the importance of working smoke alarms.

Fire investigators returned to the scene today to determine the exact cause of the blaze. Dangers associated with lithium-ion batteries will be a key part of their investigation.

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