House fire - Forest Gate

Firefighters are issuing a reminder about using e-bikes safely after a house fire on Skelton Road in Forest Gate.

Part of a ground floor bedroom in a mid-terraced house was damaged by fire. There were no reports of any injuries.

The fire is believed to have been caused by the failure of lithium batteries on an e-bike.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "Our investigation has found the incorrect charger was being used for the e-bike. 

"When charging your e-bike or e-scooter, make sure you are using the correct charger. Mismatching the charger increases the risk of fire. It's also important not to overcharge and to unplug the charger once it's completed charging. Never charge an e-bike or e-scooter unattended or whilst your sleeping.

"If you're converting your bike from a pushbike into an e-bike, make sure you get a professional or competent person to carry out the conversion and always make sure you're buying your e-bike or e-scooter from a reputable seller."

The fire was discovered by one of the occupants inside the house. Smoke alarms were present at the property but did not operate. 

The London Fire Brigade spokesperson continued: "Around 10 people either evacuated this property before our arrival or were led to safety by firefighters. They were all assessed at the scene for smoke inhalation and thankfully none required hospital treatment.

"This incident, which happened in the middle of the night, shows just how important it is to have working smoke alarms fitted on every level of your home, and in this case, particularly where you are storing and/or charging your e-bike.

"Smoke alarms give the earliest possible warning when a fire starts and we would urge everyone to make sure they have one fitted in every room where a fire can start except kitchens or bathrooms where heat alarms are more appropriate."

The Brigade was called at 0247 and the fire was extinguished by 0415. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Stratford, Leytonstone, Plaistow and East Ham 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