Firefighters are issuing an e-bike safety reminder after a house fire on Daintry Close in Harrow.
The ground floor of the two-storey terraced house was fully destroyed by fire and most of the first floor was also damaged. A small part of the roof of the affected property and a neighbouring property were damaged by the blaze. One e-bike was also damaged and removed from the property before the arrival of the Brigade.
Four people left the property before the Brigade arrived. Two men were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews.
The fire is believed to have been caused by the catastrophic failure of a battery pack on an e-bike.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "E-bikes and e-scooters are London's fastest-growing fire risk. If you own an e-bike or e-scooter, there are a number of things you can do to help keep yourself and those around you safe.
"Converting pedal bikes into e-bikes using DIY kits bought online can be very dangerous. They can 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.
"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 you're sleeping and don't charge it on an escape route, such as in a hallway. Instead, charge or store the device outdoors or in a shed. If this is not possible, make sure the device is in a room where you can shut a door and contain a fire."
E-bikes and e-scooters are powered by lithium batteries. Lithium 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 fires 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.
The Brigade was called at 0747, and the fire was under control by 0923. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Stanmore, Harrow, and Northolt fire stations attended the scene.
E-bike or e-scooter top safety tips