Maisonette fire – Islington

Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a maisonette fire on Sutterton Street in Islington.

Most of the ground floor and half of the first floor of a split-level maisonette were damaged by fire. A small part of the first and ground floors of another maisonette were also damaged by the blaze. A man and a woman left the building before the Brigade arrived. A woman was treated on scene by London Ambulance Service crews.

The Brigade’s 999 Control Officers took 14 calls to the blaze.

The Brigade's Fire Investigators believe the fire was accidental and caused by an electrical event within a lithium-ion battery pack for an electric bicycle.

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

"Unplug devices once they have finished charging and make sure you use the right charger for your device."

The Brigade was called at 0657 and the fire was under control by 0807. Fire crews from Islington, Holloway and Kentish Town fire stations attended the scene.

Firefighters’ battery safety tips

• Always use the charger that came with your phone, tablet, e-cigarette or mobile device.
• If you need to buy a replacement, always 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.
• Avoid storing, using or charging batteries at very high or low temperatures.
• Protect batteries against being damaged – that's crushed, punctured, or immersed in water.