The London Fire Brigade has issued another reminder about using e-bikes and e-scooters safely following a house fire on Rangefield Road in Bromley which led to a woman and teenager being hospitalised.
On call: the Bromley e-bike fire saw 25 firefighters attend
The fire is believed to have been caused by the failure of a battery for a converted e-bike that was on charge.
The first alarm call was received at 11.01am and the fire was under control within an hour, after four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Bromley, Beckenham and Lewisham fire stations attended.
Station Commander Stuart West, who was at the scene, said: “This incident is a stark reminder of the importance of following our safety advice when using e-bikes and e-scooters.
“In this case, the battery of a converted e-bike had been left charging overnight and into the day. When it failed, it resulted in an intense fire.
“Crews worked exceptionally hard to contain the blaze quickly, targeting the flames through an open window to limit further damage. Fortunately, the occupant was alerted to the fire and was able to leave the property.”
E-bikes and e-scooters are one of London’s fastest-growing fire risks. Since the beginning of 2023, there has been a fire involving an e-bike or e-scooter, on average, every other day.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “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.
Explosive consequence: the e-bike battery is thought to have exploded and fire spread quickly in the home on Rangefield Road
“It is vital that you do not store or charge the device on an escape route such as a hallway. We have seen incidents where people have had to jump from windows or be rescued by firefighters because their escape route has been blocked by fire or smoke. If it is not possible to keep the device outside or in a shed or garage, make sure it is in a room where you can shut the door and contain a fire.
“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 is 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 while you’re 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.
“We encourage anyone who owns an e-bike or e-scooter, or is thinking about purchasing one, to take a look at all of our ChargeSafe advice on our website to help keep themselves and those around them safer from these types of fires.”
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