Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters attended a fire on Giffin Street in Deptford.
Half of a flat on the third floor of a five-storey residential block was damaged by fire. Several people left the flat before firefighters arrived. Six people were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews as a precaution for smoke inhalation. Two further people were assessed at the scene for smoke inhalation.
The fire is being treated as accidental and is believed to have been caused by the failure of an e-bike battery pack. The battery pack was on charge at the time of the fire and was detached from the e-bike.
Paul Sadler, who was the Incident Commander, said: “The battery pack was being charged by the front door so the family were incredibly fortunate that they were able to escape through the kitchen window and safely onto an external walkway that runs along the building.
"The fire, which originated in the hallway, was well-developed when firefighters arrived and quickly spread across the property.
"This fire is yet another example in London of the dangers e-bikes and e-scooters can pose if the battery fails catastrophically and catches fire.
"Our advice is to store and charge these items in a location away from where people live, such as in a shed or a garage, and if they have to be stored inside, make sure there is smoke detection fitted, it’s kept it in a room where you can shut a door and contain a fire and your means of escape is not obstructed.
"For further safety advice and tips, visit the #ChargeSafe section on our website."
The Brigade's Control Officers received seven calls about the fire.
The Brigade was called at 0739 and the fire was brought under control by 0813. Crews from Lewisham, Deptford, East Greenwich, Lee Green and Peckham 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.
