A heroic firefighter has been praised for rescuing a family of seven from a dangerous flat fire in South London, a dramatic incident that occurred during his very first week on the job.
A Baptism of Fire in Norbury
The intense blaze erupted in a ground-floor communal hallway on London Road in Norbury at the end of October. It was swiftly determined that the fire originated from the lithium-ion battery of an e-bike, which had reportedly been on charge in the hallway. The factory-made e-bike was believed to have been purchased just six months prior to the incident.
Fire crews from Norbury Fire Station arrived at the scene a mere two minutes after the initial 999 call was placed. They were met with a ferocious and incredibly hot fire, with smoke rapidly filling the building and trapping residents in the upstairs flats.
Daring Ladder Rescue by Rookie Firefighter
Among the responding crews was Zekel Johnson, a 30-year-old recruit who was nearing the end of his first duty period at West Norwood Fire Station. Upon arrival, he saw people trapped at a second-floor window, waving their arms desperately as smoke billowed out.
Without a moment's hesitation, Johnson scaled a 13.5-metre ladder pitched by the first crew. He first assisted a child out of the window and guided them safely to the ground. He then ascended twice more to rescue two additional children before helping four adults escape via the ladder. Two other adults managed to escape through a rear window.
Following the rescue, Johnson, equipped with breathing apparatus, re-entered the property to help his colleagues fully extinguish the flames.
The Growing Danger of E-Bike Batteries
This incident highlights a rapidly escalating fire risk in the capital. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has recorded a staggering 181 e-bike and e-scooter fires by the end of October 2025, the highest annual total on record.
Fires involving lithium-ion batteries can be exceptionally fierce, producing jets of flame hot enough to burn through metal and creating a highly combustible, explosive, and poisonous vapour cloud.
LFB Assistant Commissioner Andy Pennick issued a stern warning: "Because the e-bike was being stored in the hallway, it compromised the occupants' ability to escape... When these batteries fail, they can cause ferocious fires, and the consequences can be devastating."
The Brigade's crucial safety advice includes:
- Never charge e-bikes or e-scooters unattended and always unplug them once charging is complete.
- Avoid using mismatched, incompatible, or counterfeit chargers and batteries.
- Store these devices outdoors if possible, or in a room with a closed door to contain a potential fire.
- Ensure any bike conversion is carried out by a professional.
In total, nine people—six adults and three children—were assessed by paramedics at the scene for smoke inhalation, but fortunately, none required hospital treatment. Assistant Commissioner Pennick commended Firefighter Johnson for his "calm and assured" actions, which ensured the family's safety in what was a literal baptism of fire for the new recruit.
