House fire - Eltham

Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters tackled a house fire on Longcroft in Eltham.

Part of the ground floor of a two-storey end-of-terraced house was damaged by fire. One adult and six children left the property before firefighters arrived and there were no reports of any injuries.

The fire is being treated as accidental and is believed to have been caused by the catastrophic failure of a lithium battery in an electric bike.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "Lithium batteries are susceptible to failure and can present a serious fire risk if they’re over-charged, short circuited, submerged in water or damaged.

"Try to ensure they are not getting knocked around while in use or while being carried as this can increase the chance of damage to cells.

"It's safer to store the bike outside or in a shed. If this is not possible, make sure you are not storing the bike on an escape route such as a hallway or by a door."

E-bikes and e-scooters are powered by lithium batteries. These types of batteries store a significant amount of energy in a very small space and are much more powerful compared to other types of batteries. If that energy is released in an uncontrolled way, then a fire or explosion may result. If there is overheating, crushing, penetrating or overcharging, then a fault can occur within damaged battery cells which may cause the battery to catch fire and/or explode.

Many of the e-bike and e-scooter fires in London have involved second-hand vehicles or the bike has been modified using parts bought online. 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 the Brigade cannot be confident that products meet the correct safety standard.

For more safety information, including about how to safely store and charge your e-bike, see our #ChargeSafe campaign advice on the Brigade's website.

The Brigade's Control Officers received six calls about the fire.

The Brigade was called at 1811 and the fire was extinguished by 1919. Crews from Eltham, Sidcup, Lee Green and Bromley fire stations attended the scene.

E-bike or e-scooter top safety tips

• 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. 
• Always use the correct charger, otherwise the risk of fire increases, and buy an official one from a reputable seller.  
• 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 or competent person 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.  Consumers buying any product can check that the item displays a UKCA or CE mark that ensures that the products meet UK and EU safety, health or environmental requirements. If buying online, buy from a UK supplier.
• 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.  
• 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