E-bike battery explodes in cyclist's backpack in Plzeň

A serious incident took place on the premises of a company in the Křimice district of Plzeň, where the battery of an e-bike caught fire and then exploded inside a cyclist's backpack while he was riding. The man suffered burns to around 20% of his body and is now in serious condition.

What an eyewitness saw

"We saw him come out of the dormitory with a backpack on his back. He got on his bike, and after about thirty metres, flames about two metres high shot out from behind his back. He fell to the ground and tried to tear off his burning clothes. We then poured cold water on him until the ambulance arrived," the witness recalled.

Burns to 20% of his body

According to Martin Štěpán, spokesman for the regional Emergency Medical Service, the man suffered moderate burns to the upper part of his body. "After providing initial treatment, we handed him over to our colleagues from the air rescue service," he said.

Martin Harvát, spokesman for the air ambulance service, confirmed that the patient was conscious. "The burns covered around 20% of his body. We flew him by helicopter to a specialised clinic at Prague's Královské Vinohrady Hospital," he added.

Cause of the explosion still unknown

Police were called to the scene after receiving a report of a person with burns. "According to preliminary information, the man was riding his bicycle with an e-bike battery in his backpack. For reasons that have not yet been established, the battery exploded and then caught fire," said police spokeswoman Michaela Rajdlová. Forensic experts are now investigating the exact circumstances of the incident.

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Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz