Firefighters have issued an e-bike safety warning after rescuing a man from a flat fire on Deptford High Street.
Most of two flats on the first and second floors of the building were damaged by fire. Firefighters used a nine-metre ladder to rescue a man from a second-floor window. A further four people left the property before the Brigade arrived. There were no reports of any injuries.
One gas cylinder was removed from the building and cooled to an ambient temperature as a precaution, as some cylinders can explode when exposed to heat.
The fire is believed to have been caused by a fault with an e-bike that was on charge.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “The fire was discovered by a resident who heard loud popping noises and saw their e-bike alight in the kitchen.
“It’s incredibly concerning we are continuing to see a rise in incidents involving e-bikes and e-scooters.
“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.
"We are predominantly seeing fires where batteries have been purchased from online marketplaces and when they've been sourced on the internet, which may not meet the correct safety standards.
“Our advice is to store and charge these items in a safe location if possible, such as in a shed or a 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 safe charging and ensure everyone in your home knows what to do in the event of a fire.
“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 0615 and the fire was under control by 0719. Fire crews from Deptford, Greenwich, New Cross and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.