E-bike fire - Walthamstow

Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a fire at a shop with dwellings above on High Street in Walthamstow on Saturday night.

A ground floor lean-to, used as a bike shed for storing multiple e-bikes, was destroyed by the fire. Four people left before the arrival of the Brigade. There were no reports of any injuries.

The fire is believed to have been accidental and caused by the failure of two lithium-ion batteries in two e-bikes.

London Fire Brigade’s Assistant Commissioner for Fire Safety, Charlie Pugsley said: “The owners of these bikes did the right thing as they were able to store these e-bikes outside the home which helped to limit the damage.

"There are an increasing number of fires caused by e-bikes, e-scooters and lithium batteries which is why we're running our #ChargeSafe campaign here in London to raise awareness of the risks and share our safety advice. Tragically, our crews attended an e-bike fire where a young woman lost her life at the start of this year. Sadly since September last year, other fire and rescue services across the UK have also seen fatalities at similar fires. 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.

“We want people who own an e-bike or e-scooter to travel safely and charge safe. Please follow our safety advice: always buy your battery from a reputable and trusted seller, charge your battery in a safe location that doesn't block your exit route in an emergency.

"We recommend storing your e-bike in an outdoor shed which can help protect you, your family and your home from harm. Never charge e-bikes and e-scooters when the household is asleep so that everyone can react quickly should there be a fire."

The Brigade was called at 2302 and the fire was under control by 0032. Crews from Walthamstow, Tottenham and Woodford fire stations attended the scene.

Safety tips for e-bike and e-scooter 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 external 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. Get a professional to carry out the conversion and make sure to buy a battery from a reputable seller and that it is not second-hand.  
• Check your battery and charger meets UK safety standards.  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.  
• Watch out for signs that the battery or charger aren’t working as they should – e.g. if the battery is hot to the touch or has changed shape.  
• Always use the correct charger and buy an official one from a reputable seller.  
• 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 overheated. 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