Dramatic footage captured a firefighter rescuing a man dangling precariously from a window ledge after trying to escape an e-bike fire in a flat.
The fire broke out in a third-floor flat on John Fisher Street in Whitechapel and most of the flat was damaged by fire and smoke.
Two people managed to escape from the flat. Two men who could not escape because their exit was blocked by fire were rescued by firefighters from separate windows using ladders. One woman was taken to hospital as a precaution for smoke inhalation.
Danny McLaughlin, 64, a neighbour who watched one of the rescues unfold and captured it on his phone, said: "I heard shouting that woke me up. I looked out of one of my windows and saw one of the men hanging from a third-floor window ledge in the neighbouring block. His legs were being held, to stop him falling, by a neighbour in the window of the flat below the fire.
E-bikes and e-scooters can be great, but you need to know how to keep them safe
“There were lots of other residents watching what was going on including some who had left the block where the fire was. The fire brigade arrived quickly and a firefighter climbed a ladder which had been manoeuvred into position and the man was safely brought down. A lot of residents are now worried about the prospect of e-bike or e-scooter battery fires in these blocks and whether we will be trapped or hurt if another incident occurs.”
The fire is being treated as accidental and is believed to have been caused by the failure of a lithium battery pack for a converted e-bike that was charging in the hallway of the flat.
Borough Commander for Tower Hamlets, Richard Tapp, said: “This is sadly yet another example in our borough of the dangers e-bikes and e-scooters can pose if the battery fails catastrophically and catches fire. This can be caused by reasons including counterfeit or unsafe products being sold online, the wrong charger being used, or if components are fitted or used incorrectly.
“My crews were on scene in four minutes and quickly and professionally set about rescuing two people as well as tackling the fire.
“A number of e-bikes were being stored in the hallway and this fire shows just how dangerous blocking your escape route can be. You should keep an e-bike or e-scooter outside or in a shed. If this is not possible, put it in a room where you can shut a door and contain a fire. Although the smoke alarm sounded, this incident also highlights the risks of charging whilst people are sleeping as there is less time to react before the fire intensifies.”
E-bikes and e-scooters have become London’s fastest-growing fire trend with a fire once every two days in 2023 on average. There was a 78% increase in e-bike fires in 2023 compared to 2022 (155 in 2023). The Brigade has been running its #ChargeSafe campaign to raise awareness of the fire risks associated with these types vehicles and seek changes to regulation to prevent poor quality batteries, chargers and conversion kits being sold via online marketplaces.
The fires often occur when the lithium batteries that power these vehicles fail and explode. Batteries can fail for a number of reasons; such as if they have been built poorly, are fake or counterfeit, are damaged, overcharged or the incorrect charger is used.
Last month, the Office for Product Safety & Standards announced it has taken enforcement action against the manufacturer of the UPP battery after its products were linked to a number of fires in the UK, including at a hotel in Kensington.
Five online marketplaces have been issued with Withdrawal Notices, which require them to stop supplying the UPP battery. The Withdrawal Notice has also been issued to 20 sellers directly and the China-based manufacturer.
The Brigade's Assistant Commissioner for Fire Safety, Charlie Pugsley, said: "The recent enforcement action taken by the Office for Product Safety & Standards is a welcome step towards reducing the risk of customers being exposed to dangerous products.
"The lithium batteries that power these vehicles have failed catastrophically and caused devastating fires. We’re asking people to check whether they have a UPP battery at home. If you do, stop using it right away, and contact the seller.
"Often, these batteries fail if they are used with the wrong charger, are faulty, counterfeit or become damaged. As part of our #ChargeSafe campaign, we are calling for much-needed legislation for online marketplaces to ensure products like batteries, chargers and conversion kits are strictly regulated.”
Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters tackled the fire in Whitechapel. The Brigade was called at 0444 and the fire was brought under control by 0554. Crews from Whitechapel, Shadwell, Dowgate and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.