Firefighters issue further e-bike warning after house fire – Forest Gate

Firefighters have issued an urgent reminder of their safety advice after an e-bike fire on Grosvenor Road in Forest Gate.

Most of the ground floor and half of the first floor of a mid-terraced house were damaged by fire. There were no reports of any injuries.

The Brigade’s 999 Control Officers took 11 calls to the blaze.

The fire is believed to have been accidental and caused by a fault within the lithium battery for an e-bike that was on charge.

The fire comes just days after the Brigade released frightening video footage of an e-bike bursting into flames as part of their #ChargeSafe campaign. The campaign aims to help people safely use e-bikes and e-scooters and inform people about the dangers of charging, storing and modifying the vehicles and their batteries.

London Fire Brigade’s Deputy Commissioner, Dom Ellis, said: “E-bikes and e-scooters are becoming more common in London and the risk of significant fires is rising too. We want people to travel safely and be aware of the risks that the batteries present as part of our #ChargeSafe campaign. Protect yourself and your loved ones by following our #ChargeSafe tips and by using our Home Fire Safety Checker.

“Never block your escape route with anything, including e-bikes and e-scooters. The only way to be sure of a legal, safe and reliable e-bike is to buy one in complete form, from a trusted and reputed retailer. 

“The number of incidents our fire crews are attending shows that buying a product from a reputable seller will help protect you, your family and property from bursting into flames - not forgetting the peace of mind it can give.” 

The Brigade was called at 1252 and the fire was under control by 1351. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from East Ham, Barking and Poplar fire stations attended the scene.

Brigade safety tips for all e-bike users to follow: 

• Never block your escape route with anything, including e-bikes and e-scooters.  
  Store them somewhere away from a main through route. Our advice is to store these items in a safe location if possible, such as a garage or a shed.  
• Do not attempt to modify or tamper with your battery.Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. 
• Converting pedal bikes into e-bikes using DIY kits bought online can be very dangerous.They pose a higher risk of fire. 
• Check your battery and charger meets UK safety standards. 
  Watch out for signs that the battery or charger aren’t working as they should – if it’s hot to the touch or has changed shape.  
• Always use the correct charger and buy an official one from a reputable seller.  
  We have particular concern 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.    
• Let the battery cool before charging.  
  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. If you are charging batteries indoors, please follow our advice on safe charging. 
• 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. 
• Fit alarms where you charge.Ensure you have smoke alarms fitted in areas where e-bikes or e-scooters are being charged and make sure they are tested regularly. You can quickly and easily check your home by visiting our free online home fire safety checker tool.