A firefighter in his first week on the job played a vital part in rescuing a family, including three children, when they were trapped in a second-floor flat in Norbury after an e-bike battery exploded on the ground floor.
Baptism of fire: Firefighter Zekel Johnson put his training to good effect at the blaze in Norbury
The fire broke out in a communal hallway in a building on London Road, where there are flats above shops on the ground floor.
Crews from Norbury Fire Station arrived just two minutes after the first 999 call, and immediately set about tackling the fire. Shortly after arrival, a group of people appeared at a window, screaming for help.
The crew began preparing a ladder rescue, using a 45-foot ladder.
Firefighter Zekel Johnson was soon on the scene with his crew from West Norwood.
“When I arrived, a ladder had just been pitched by Norbury’s crew,” he said.
“I could see people at the second-floor window, with smoke pouring out, waving their arms. The officer in charge said someone needed to go up the ladder immediately.”
Johnson did not hesitate.
Firefighter Johnson, 30, first helped guide a child out of the window before accompanying them down safely. He then went back up to rescue two further children.
Four adults were also assisted down by the ladder.
Naveen Narayanasankar, who was inside the burning building, said: “I had just finished work and returned home and was eating dinner in the kitchen when suddenly we heard a blast from downstairs. I opened the door and there was a lot of smoke already.
“The people downstairs were telling us there was a fire. Everyone in the flat woke up but there was so much smoke, we couldn’t see or breathe properly.”
Two further adults managed to escape via a window at the rear of the building. A total of six adults and three children were assessed at the scene by London Ambulance Service for smoke inhalation but did not require hospital treatment.
After carrying out the rescues, Firefighter Johnson’s work was not over as he later went inside the property in breathing apparatus to help extinguish the fire.
Tall order: firefighters rescued a family, including three children, from their second-floor flat
“I decided to join the fire service in order to help people and to serve the community. I feel good to have had a positive impact so quickly into my career and it has been great to settle into my Watch and have their support.”
Assistant Commissioner Andy Pennick said: “The exceptional actions of our crews at this incident ensured swift rescues and limited fire spread. This was just one example of the great work that happens at London Fire Brigade every day to help Londoners when they need it most.
“It is rare for a firefighter to attend an incident of this significance so quickly into their career and I’d like to commend Firefighter Johnson for his assured and calm response to rescue this family. Our rigorous and improved training programme ensures that newly-qualified firefighters are best-prepared to respond to real emergencies as soon as they start at their station.”
Following an investigation, the Brigade believes the most probable cause for the fire was the catastrophic failure of a lithium-ion battery pack for a manufactured e-bike, that is thought to have been purchased from a shop around six months ago. The e-bike was being stored in the hallway and the battery pack had reportedly been charging shortly before the fire.
Firefighters Alex Wimbush and Virgil Mbashime, who were among the first crews to tackle the fire, described the fire as “intense” and “incredibly hot” and said the conditions were nothing like they’d faced before. Lithium-ion battery fires can be ferocious, producing jets of flame. The blaze is also hot enough to melt through metal. This type of fire produces a highly flammable, explosive and toxic vapour cloud which should never be inhaled.
Assistant Commissioner Pennick said: “Because the e-bike was being stored in the hallway, it compromised the occupants’ ability to escape the building when the fire broke out. It is vital that e-bikes and e-scooters are stored appropriately, so that in the event of a fire, the risk of harm to those inside can be significantly reduced because their escape route is not blocked.”
The Brigade recommends storing the vehicles outside, or in a shed or other outbuilding. If it needs to be stored inside, it should be in a room where a door can be shut and the fire can be contained.
E-bikes and e-scooters have become one of London’s fastest-growing fire risks. By the end of October, 181 e-bike and e-scooter fires had been recorded in 2025 – the highest in a single year. The fires can be life-changing, in some cases destroying homes and livelihoods. Four people have died in these fires since 2023 and more than 100 people have been injured.
Assistant Commissioner Pennick continued: “When the lithium-ion batteries that power e-bikes and e-scooters fail, they can cause ferocious fires, and the consequences can be devastating. Whilst the exact reasons why the e-bike batteries at this fire failed is unclear, we urge people who own these devices to follow the safety advice that will help to protect those around them and their properties.
“We want to urgently remind people that using mismatched batteries and chargers, especially incompatible or counterfeit ones, can cause serious fires. We also recommend devices are never left charging unattended and always unplug the charger once it’s finished charging.
“If you are converting your bike from a normal pedal cycle, ensure this conversion is carried out by a professional.”
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