Story By: John Feng, Sub-Editor:  Joseph Golder, Agency: Asia Wire Report 

Video Credit: AsiaWire

This is the moment a charging e-bike battery suddenly catches fire and explodes in a ball of flames inside a shop, sending staff and customers running for their lives.

CCTV footage from the business in Wenzhou, in East China’s Zhejiang Province, shows at least 10 people in or around the shop when the lithium-ion battery begins emitting smoke and bursting into flames.

In the video dated 25th November, the electric bike’s battery can be seen plugged into the wall at the entrance of the shop.

Staff members and customers turn to look at the battery on the floor when it suddenly pops and smoke comes out of the device.

It is quickly unplugged, but moments later it pops again and explodes into a fireball.

Witnesses are sent fleeing into the shop for safety, and cannot reach the entrance which is obstructed by the flames.

Reports said the fire was put out several minutes later by the employees and their clients.

Ms Li, who owns the battery, revealed to local media that it was purchased from e-bike manufacturer Woqu.

She has had it for just two years, she added.

Ms Li said: “After arriving at work around 9am, I charged the flat battery and plugged it into the same place I always do.

“Around 2pm, there was a smell, then there were some sounds. A customer saw the battery and unplugged it.

“A minute later, it exploded.

“The shop was charred, and the windows shattered from the blast.

“I charged it the way I usually do. Nothing has ever gone wrong.

“Who knew a lithium-ion battery could do this? It’s truly frightening.”

Ms Li said she had already contacted Woqu about the product, but investigations into the cause of the accident are still ongoing.

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