Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a flat fire on Ashford Road in Cricklewood last night.
A small part of the four roomed flat on the fourth floor was damaged by fire. No injuries are reported.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “This incident is a reminder of just how important it is to have working smoke alarms in your home. There were no smoke alarms fitted in the property. Smoke alarms give the earliest possible warning when a fire starts. We encourage everyone to have smoke alarms fitted in every room where a fire could start, plus a heat alarm in the kitchen. It’s important to test them regularly.”
The Brigade was called at 2216 and the incident was over by 2333. Fire crews from West Hampstead, Willesden, Hendon and North Kensington fire stations were in attendance.
The Brigade’s fire investigators have determined the blaze was accidental and caused by the failure of an e-bike’s lithium-ion battery.
• 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.
• Never block your escape route with anything, including bikes and scooters. Store them somewhere away from a main through route.