A Byron Bay business owner says he has been “kicked in the guts” after looters targeted his fire-ravaged shop, just days after a blaze destroyed everything he owned.

Liam Kelly, who runs Freedom Machine Byron Bay, spoke to ABC North Coast about the aftermath of last week’s fire in Jonson Street.

He said the business had no insurance coverage for the loss, describing the financial hit as total.

“It’s everything my family has… that’s all sort of gone up in smoke, literally,” he said.

More than 100 e-bikes were destroyed in the blaze, with losses estimated in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Kelly said he was in Sydney when the fire broke out and rushed back to Byron.

“I flew in and could see the fire from the sky… it was gut-wrenching,” he said.

Looting after the blaze

Kelly said the situation worsened when people began entering the damaged premises in the days after the fire.

He said children had been seen rummaging through the burnt-out shop looking for items to take.

“There was a bunch of kids… picking up little trinkets and toys and parts,” he said.

He also revealed bikes left outside by customers had been stolen, with locks cut after they were secured on site.

“When you’re down, getting kicked in the guts doesn’t feel any worse,” he said.

Liam Kelly – determined to rebuild his business (Photos: 7 News Coast)

Battery warning after explosion

Kelly believes the fire was sparked by a faulty lithium-ion battery from an e-bike not sold through his store.

He said the battery exploded within minutes of being placed on charge during inspection, triggering a chain reaction.

“They can spontaneously combust… and that’s what had happened,” he said.

The bike was described as a low-cost import bought online, with Kelly warning some products could pose serious risks.

“What you’re buying is a ticking time bomb,” he said.

Firefighters battle to control a blaze that destroyed a home on Kerr Street in Ballina on December 3 last year, also believed to have been started by an e-bike battery

Fire authorities say incidents involving e-mobility batteries are becoming more common, with lithium-ion batteries emerging as a growing fire risk.

Buyers are being urged to stick with reputable brands and ensure batteries meet Australian safety standards.

No insurance, but determined to rebuild

Despite the loss, Kelly said he was focused on reopening as soon as possible.

He said support from the local community had already begun flowing in, with plans to secure a new site within days.

“All I’m trying to do now is get another place open… and try and ‘phoenix it’,” he said.