A family home in Catford, southeast London, was destroyed by a devastating fire just days before Christmas after a second-hand e-bike battery exploded whilst charging, prompting urgent calls for more regulation.
Three people were inside the property on Renshaw Close when the blaze broke out on Saturday morning, forcing two occupants to climb onto the roof to escape the flames.
The dramatic incident, captured on a neighbour’s doorbell camera, has sparked fresh warnings from the London Fire Brigade about the dangers of e-bikes, which are now causing fires in the capital every other day.
Footage from the doorbell camera showed the property becoming rapidly engulfed in flames, with several bangs and small explosions heard as the fire spread.
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Fire was caused by a charging e-bike
PA/LONDON FIRE BRIGADE
The incident began when an e-bike battery burst into flames on the first floor of the property at 7.31am.One occupant managed to escape through the front door unharmed.
However, two others found themselves trapped in the loft conversion as the fire blocked their escape route.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Field called it “a devastating fire that has destroyed most of a family home.”
“It’s fortunate that no lives have been lost, given how quickly the blaze took hold,” he said, praising the firefighter who prevented the woman’s fall from the roof. Field revealed that London has seen around 160 e-bike and e-scooter fires this year alone.
“E-bikes are one of London’s fastest-growing fire risks, with a fire on average once every other day,” he warned.
The stark reality, according to Field, is that these vehicles are proving “incredibly dangerous,” particularly when modified or fitted with second-hand parts.
The fire investigation revealed the e-bike had been converted from a normal pedal cycle with a lithium-ion battery pack fitted and was purchased second-hand from an online marketplace. The charger being used was generic and not specifically designed for the battery pack.
“If you’re planning on buying an e-bike or e-scooter for yourself or a loved one for Christmas and you see an offer online that seems too good to be true, it probably is,” Field cautioned.
The Brigade strongly recommends purchasing from reputable high-street sellers where products are more likely to meet safety standards.
The London Fire Brigade has issued specific guidance for those who must keep e-bikes indoors.
“If you must keep it indoors, do not charge or store it on an escape route,” Field advised. He recommended placing the vehicle in a room with working smoke alarms where the door can be shut in case of fire.
“When you’re charging your e-bike or e-scooter, make sure you are using the correct charger, do not overcharge and never charge unattended, such as when you’re sleeping,” he added.
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E-bike batteries are highly flammable
LONDON FIRE BRIGADE
According to the London Fire Brigade, e-bikes and e-scooters are some of the biggest causes of fires due to their batteries being highly flammable.