Firefighters attended a fire involving an e-bike on Uxbridge Road in Shepherd's Bush.
An electric bike was destroyed by fire. There were no reports of any injuries.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "Videos of this incident show explosions coming from the bike, producing jets of flame that can be hot enough to melt through metal. You can also see what looks like white smoke but is actually an extremely toxic vapour cloud that should never be inhaled. Lithium battery fires are ferocious and people should stay well away from them for their own safety.
"E-bikes and e-scooters can be a fun and sustainable way of getting around London but the stark reality is that some of these vehicles are proving to be incredibly dangerous if they are not used safely. We encourage people to follow our top tips on how to store and charge their e-bikes and e-scooters safely.
“Whilst the specific cause of this particular fire is undetermined, we know the bike involved had been converted into an e-bike from a normal bike. From previous investigations, we know many of the fires we’ve attended have involved second-hand vehicles or the bike has been modified using parts bought online. It’s important to get this conversion carried out by a professional or a competent person.
"It’s also important to make sure the conversion kits, batteries and chargers you’re purchasing for the bike is from a reputable seller. At this time, there is not the same level of regulation of products for e-bikes and e-scooters sold via online marketplaces or auction sites when compared to high street shops, so we cannot be confident that products meet the correct safety standard."
E-bikes and e-scooters have become London’s fastest growing fire risk. In 2023, there was a fire, on average, once every two days. Three people have sadly died in these fires and around 60 people have been hurt. The Brigade launched its #ChargeSafe campaign last year to raise awareness of the fire risks with e-bikes and e-scooters.
In January, the Office for Product Safety and Standards announced it has taken enforcement action against the UPP battery after it was linked to a number of fires in the UK. Anyone who owns this battery should stop using it, contact the seller for redress and dispose of the battery safely.
The Brigade continues to call for much-needed legislation for online marketplaces to ensure products like batteries, chargers and conversion kits are strictly regulated.
The Brigade's 999 Control Officers received nine calls about the fire. The Brigade was called at 1818 and the incident was over for firefighters by 1900. Two fire engines from Hammersmith Fire Station attended the scene.
Safety tips for e-bike and e-scooter users to follow