Firefighters have issued another safety reminder following a fire involving an e-bike at a block of flats on Aberdeen Place in St John's Wood.
Part of the hallway of the ground floor flat was damaged by the fire. Three people left the affected flat before the Brigade arrived and a further seven people left the building.
A man and woman were taken to hospital suffering smoke inhalation by London Ambulance Service crews.
The Brigade's fire investigators believe the blaze was accidental and caused by the failure of a lithium-ion battery in a battery pack from an e-bike that had been on charge shortly before the fire occurred.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "Electric bikes and scooters are often stored and charged in escape routes, and that is what had happened in this case.
"The occupant was alerted to the fire when they heard popping and bangs coming from the hallway and on finding the hallway smoke logged, they were forced to get out via the window.
"Blocked escape routes make an already serious situation much more frightening for those involved so please do be mindful of where you're storing these items."
The Brigade was called at 1439 and the fire was under control by 1511. Three fire engines and around 15 firefighters from Paddington and Euston stations attended the scene.
• The Brigade’s advice is to always use the correct charger for the product and buy an official one from a reputable seller.
• Batteries can get warm during their use and it is advisable to allow them to cool down before attempting to re-charge as they could be more susceptible to failure.
• Batteries should always be charged on hard flat surfaces where heat can dissipate.
• Batteries can also pose a risk if they have been damaged, so try to ensure they are not getting knocked around while in use or while being carried as spares as this can increase the chance of damage to cells.
• You should always make sure you unplug your charger once it’s finished charging. Always follow manufacturers’ instructions when charging and we would advise not to leave it unattended or while people are asleep.
• Ensure you have smoke alarms fitted in areas where e-bikes or e-scooters are being charged and make sure they are tested regularly.
• Lastly, the Brigade’s advice is to never block your escape route with anything, including bikes and scooters. Store them somewhere away from a main through route.