A woman was forced to jump out of a window after two e-bikes caught fire in a flat in Brent, prompting fresh warnings from the London Fire Brigade.
Incident details
The London Fire Brigade was called to Brondesbury Park in Brent on June 10, just before 5am, to a fire at a detached house converted into flats. One woman evacuated by jumping from a first-floor window at the front of the property. Three other people self-evacuated by climbing onto a flat roof at the rear.
The fire was accidental, believed to have been caused by a lithium battery failure in an e-bike that was on charge at the time. The bikes blocked the doors to the flat, leaving windows as the only escape route.
Fire brigade warning
The London Fire Brigade reports attending a fire involving an e-bike or e-scooter on average every other day. A spokesperson said: “The fire blocked the residents' main escape route, preventing them from exiting the flat. As a result, they were forced to evacuate through bedroom windows.
“This incident highlights why you should always ensure your escape route is clear and why we recommend never storing an e-bike or e-scooter on your means of escape, such as a hallway or by your front door. Instead, keep it in a room where you can shut a door, contain the fire and call 999.”
The spokesperson also stressed the importance of working smoke alarms and heat detection: “Smoke alarms give the earliest possible warning when a fire starts. We urge everyone to have one fitted in every room where a fire can start, except kitchens or bathrooms, where heat alarms are more appropriate.”
“In London, we have been attending a fire, on average every other day involving an e-bike or e-scooter. Last year, we saw a record number of fires [206]. This is why we urge owners to take a look at our #ChargeSafe advice.”
E-bike and e-scooter safety tips
- Never block your escape route with e-bikes or e-scooters. Store them away from main thoroughfares, ideally in a safe external location like a garage or shed.
- Always use the correct charger from a reputable seller to reduce fire risk.
- Do not modify or tamper with your battery. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Converting pedal bikes into e-bikes using DIY kits can be dangerous. Get a professional to carry out the conversion and buy batteries from reputable sellers, avoiding second-hand ones.
- Check your battery and charger meet UK safety standards. Batteries purchased from online marketplaces may not meet correct safety standards.
