An electric bike exploded in the Ilac shopping centre this evening much to the horror of shoppers.
It happened around 4pm today with bits of melted black plastic scattered all over the floor and even on the walls. The bike went up in smoke just outside the McDonalds with shoppers immediately hearing a bang before smelling burning plastic.
Charles Gallagher had just popped into Dunnes to get milk when he heard the commotion. He told Dublin Live that he would be reluctant to use his own electric scooter again after seeing the damage the vehicle caused.
Read more: E-bike battery chargers 'significant' fire risk to flat complexes, Council exec warns
He said: "I was literally only in Dunnes Stores getting a carton of milk. As soon as we got around the corner there at the Parnell Street side of the centre, the alarm started going off. These shutters started coming down. All you could see was the smoke and the flames down at McDonalds.
"We thought McDonalds was on fire at first. As we got closer, we saw that it was an electric bike. Its battery had exploded everywhere. There were little fiery pieces of plastic all over the floor.
"I got a wee bit of a fright. It was one of those busy times as well. On the wall, there was little dots of black plastic from the bike. I actually have an electric scooter myself but I'm telling you I won't be using it after that."
Dublin Live has contacted the Ilac centre for comment.
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