Firefighters are reminding people of their e-bike safety advice after a house fire on Woodman Path in Hainault.
Half of the ground floor and a small part of the first floor of a two-storey terraced house were damaged by the fire. One woman, two men and three children were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews. A further woman and two children were treated on scene after suffering from smoke inhalation.
The fire was discovered when an occupant heard a loud noise and saw smoke and sparks coming from the kitchen doorway.
Sub Officer Matt Bannon, who was at the scene, said: “On arrival, firefighters found a well-developed fire on the ground floor which was producing a lot of smoke.
“Crews carried out a search of the building to ensure no one was still inside.
“This was a dynamic incident and crews worked incredibly hard to bring the fire under control.”
The fire is believed to have been accidental and caused by the failure of a e-bike lithium battery which is believed to have been on charge at the time of the fire.
The Brigade was called at 0551 and the fire was under control at 0714. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Ilford, Hainault, and Woodford fire stations attended the scene.
Firefighters’ top safety tips for e-scooters and e-bikes
- 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. They should also never be exposed to extremes of temperature.
- 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 and make sure you and your family have an escape plan in place in the event of a fire.
