Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a house fire on Tarbert Walk in Wapping.
Most of the ground floor of a terraced house was damaged by the fire. Two people left the building before the Brigade arrived. There were no reports of any injuries.
The Brigade's 999 Control Officers took 11 calls to the blaze.
The Brigade was called at 1231 and the fire was under control by 1328. Fire crews from Bethnal Green, Millwall, Shadwell and Whitechapel fire stations were at the scene.
The fire is believed to have been accidental and caused by the failure of a lithium-ion battery for an
e-bike.
Firefighters' top e-bike safety tips
• 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.