Bicycle Shop Fire in Byron Bay: Lithium-Ion Batteries Explode

0:00A fire broke out in a bicycle shop right in the heart of Byron Bay's Busy Central Business District this afternoon, just before 1pm. Explosions rocked the scene, likely from lithium-ion batteries inside, turning heads during the Easter school holidays when the towns packed with tourists. Multiple emergency calls lit up triple-zero lines, pulling in fire and rescue NSW, the Royal Fire Service and local police. Firefighters face thick smoke in those popping batteries, making the job tough from the jump. Shop staff got everyone out safely, no injuries reported, and the manager upstairs in the residential units cleared those folks too. The holiday vibe stayed intact, but is shut down Johnson Street for a bit. Crews contain the blaze to the bike shop itself and are now checking the floors above for any spread. Acting superintendent Andrew Bickle called the conditions challenging, but they held the line. Investigators are digging into the cause, planning to talk with the owner soon. Byron Bay's back to normal, but this one's a reminder to watch those batteries.

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