Flat fire - Camden

Firefighters are reminding people to charge electrical items carefully following a fire at a flat on Royal College Street in Camden.

Part of a five-roomed flat on the second floor of the building was damaged by fire. Three men left the building before the Brigade arrived and were treated on scene by London Ambulance Service crews.

The Brigade’s Fire Investigators believe the fire involved a lithium-ion battery pack used for an electric bicycle.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Batteries can present a fire risk if they’re overcharged, short circuited, submerged in water or damaged, so it’s really important to protect them against being damaged and charge them safely.

“Don’t overcharge your product, disconnect it and turn the charger off once it’s fully charged. Make sure you also use the right charger for your device. If you need to buy a replacement charger or battery, choose a branded, genuine product from a supplier you can trust.”

Firefighters' tips for charging your devices

• Always make sure electrical appliances have a British or European safety mark before you buy them.
• Always use the charger that came with your electrical item
• If you need to buy a replacement charger or battery, choose a branded, genuine product from a supplier you can trust. There are lots of fakes out there, and it can be difficult to spot the difference.
• Protect batteries against being damaged – that's crushed, exposed to extremes of temperature, punctured or immersed in water.
• Never cover your charger or the item you’re charging – chargers give off a small amount of heat which may build up if they are covered.
• Don't overload your sockets – learn more about how much is too much on our fuses and power load page.

The Brigade was called at 2020 and the fire was under control by 2114. Two fire engines and around 10 firefighters from Euston and Kentish Town fire stations attended the scene.