Firefighters have issued another e-bike safety warning following a flat fire involving a converted e-bike on Kingsgate Place in West Hampstead.
The warning echoes that made by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) last week, urging caution around buying products online and particularly around e-bike conversion kits.
Firefighters tackled a fire involving a lithium-ion battery for an e-bike at a three-storey residential building. There were no reports of any injuries.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "Last year, London firefighters attended around 116 fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters and crews have already attended around 16 this year alone. It’s incredibly concerning we are continuing to see a rise in these types of incidents.
“When these batteries and chargers fail, they do so with ferocity and because the fires develop so rapidly the situation can quickly become incredibly serious.
“Lithium-ion batteries are susceptible to failure if incorrect chargers are used and there is a significant risk posed by e-bikes which have been converted, such as in this case.
"Conversion kits involve sourcing a battery separately and, like the CTSI, we have already issued a warning that many of the fires we are seeing involve batteries which have been sourced on the internet, which may not meet the correct safety standards.
“We know that lithium-ion batteries are susceptible to failure if incorrect chargers are used, so it’s important to always use the correct charger for the product and buy an official one from a reputable seller.
“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 also not expose them to extremes of temperature.
“Our advice is to try and store and charge these items in a safe location if possible, such as in a shed or garage, and if they have to be stored inside, make sure there is smoke detection fitted and your means of escape is not obstructed.
“However we know this won’t be possible for everyone, so if you are charging them indoors, please follow our advice on using safe charging and ensure everyone in your home knows what to do in the event of a fire.
“Make sure they are charged in a room where there is smoke detection and on a hard, flat surface.
“We would also suggest people try not to charge them when they are asleep, so that if there is an issue they can react quickly.”
The Brigade was called at 1317 and the fire was under control by 1356. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from West Hampstead, Paddington and Willesden fire stations attended the scene.