A fire that engulfed a flat in Bethnal Green last week (9 April) is believed to have been ignited by lithium-ion batteries for an e-bike or e-scooter.
Seven people were rescued by firefighters using fire escape hoods and 11 people were taken to hospital, after the fire spread through a block of flats on Cornwall Avenue. A total of 17 people were treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service crews.
Around 50 people were relocated to a nearby library. The housing association responsible for the building has confirmed that it has been providing support to residents and arranging emergency accommodation.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Prevention & Protection, Richard Field, said: “This would have been a terrifying ordeal for all those inside this building.
“Firefighters demonstrated great courage to bring multiple people, including one child, to safety. One man jumped from a second-floor window but was thankfully unhurt; we are also pleased to confirm that the condition of one of the 11 people taken to hospital is no longer life-threatening.
“We have worked closely with the housing association, local council and emergency service partners to provide support to all residents affected by this fire. Firefighters were also out in the local community afterwards offering home fire safety advice to residents.”
Following a thorough examination of the scene by the Brigade’s Fire Investigation team, the fire is being treated as accidental and the most probable cause is the failure of a lithium-ion battery associated with an e-bike or e-scooter.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Field continued: “This has been a complex incident to investigate due to the severity of damage that was caused by this fire. Multiple e-bikes and e-scooters were discovered in the property, including those that appeared to be manufactured or converted. There were also a lot of possessions inside the home, which contributed to the spread of the fire.
“E-bikes and e-scooters are one of London’s fastest-growing fire risks. Since 2023, we have seen a fire, on average, every other day and these fires are ferocious, producing extremely toxic smoke.
“From our investigations, we know many of the fires we’ve attended 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 we cannot be confident that products meet the correct safety standard.
“If you own an e-bike or e-scooter, we urge people to store it outside or in a location such as a shed if they can. If that’s not possible, ensure it’s not stored or being charged on an escape route, such as a hallway or by a door. Instead, keep it in a room where you can shut a door and contain a fire.
“When charging your e-bike or e-scooter, make sure not to do so when you’re sleeping, avoid
leaving it unattended and make sure you have a working smoke alarm. Use the correct charger and don’t overcharge the battery.”
Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, said: “My thoughts are with everyone affected by the fire. Our Emergency Response Team was quickly on the scene to support residents, with councillors and our staff volunteering overnight and the local school kindly opening their facilities.
"We are extremely grateful to the London Fire Brigade for their swift response and their partnership with us on the #ChargeSafe Tower Hamlets campaign to raise awareness about the risk of such devastating fires caused by e-bike and e-scooter batteries. We are finding and destroying unsafe batteries, and we've halved the number of e-bike battery related fires in the borough by 50%, but we need all e-bike and e-scooter users to help protect our community. If you use one, I implore you to follow the #ChargeSafe guidance to keep yourself and your neighbours safe."
The Brigade's Control Officers took 36 calls to the fire and gave vital fire survival guidance to three residents on how to stay safe before firefighters arrived.
The Brigade was called at 2338 (9 April) and eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters from Shadwell, Shoreditch, Bethnal Green, Poplar and surrounding fire stations attended the scene. The fire was brought under control by 0105.