Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a fire at a block of flats on South Road in Ealing.
A small part of a two roomed flat on the ground floor was damaged by fire. Two men left the flat before the Brigade arrived on scene. They were assessed on scene by London Ambulance Service. An additional 20 people also left the building before the Brigade arrived.
The Brigade was called at 2251 and the incident was over by 0005. Fire crews from Ealing, Acton, Chiswick and Heston fire stations were in attendance.
The cause of the fire is believed to be due to an e-bike bursting into flames.
Brigade safety tips for all 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 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.
