Firefighters are issuing another warning about using e-bikes safely following a house fire on Sandy Hill Road in Woolwich.
Most of the ground floor and the staircase of a two-storey mid-terraced house was damaged by fire. Part of the first floor was also damaged.
Two adults were rescued by firefighters from a rear roof via a short extension ladder. Seven adults and one child escaped the house before firefighters arrived. Several of the occupants were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews to be treated for smoke inhalation.
The fire is being treated as accidental and believed to have been caused by the failure of lithium batteries in a converted e-bike.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “This was a destructive fire that thankfully no one was seriously hurt by.
“The fire, which is believed to have originated from a converted e-bike, spread rapidly and is another example of the dangers these devices can pose, particularly in the home, with e-bikes becoming one of London’s fastest-growing fire risks. So far in 2024, we have recorded more than 130 fires involving an e-bike or e-scooter.
“E-bikes and e-scooters can be a great and sustainable way to travel around our city but they must be used safely otherwise the risk of a fire increases.
"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 or the batteries for them, 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 and that you have smoke detection fitted."
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 has been running its #ChargeSafe campaign to raise awareness about the fires as well as calling for much-needed legislation for online marketplaces to ensure products like batteries, chargers and conversion kits are strictly regulated.
The Brigade’s Control Officers received six calls about the fire. The Brigade was called at 0600 and Control Officers mobilised crews from Brixton, Lewisham, Orpington, Bromley, Barking and New Cross fire stations to the scene. The fire was brought under control by 0721.