There has been two fires less than 24 hours apart involving an e-bike and an e-scooter, caused by lithium battery failures. The e-bike had been converted from a pedal bike and was charging using a generic charger.

The London Fire Brigade‘s Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Prevention and Protection, Richard Field said: “Both of these fires were caused by catastrophic battery failures. When these batteries fail, they can cause ferocious fires, and the consequences can be devastating.”

Barlow Road fire

The first fire happened when the battery on a charging e-scooter burst into flames at a house on Barlow Road in West Hampstead, leading to the death of a dog inside the property.

The fire quickly spread across the ground floor and up the stairs and eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were dispatched to put out the blaze.

Bridlepath Way fire

The second fire occurred when the battery pack on a second-hand converted e-bike at a house on Bridlepath Way in Feltham caught alight.

Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were sent to the scene but the fire had already spread through much of the property once firefighters arrived.

Four people left the house before firefighters arrived, including one via a window, with two of the occupants taken to hospital.

Meanwhile, crews were able to rescue two dogs trapped in a room. A third dog that was inside the property was then discovered deceased.

The incidents reiterate why the Brigade has been running its #ChargeSafe campaign, with e-bikes and e-scooters becoming one of the capital’s fastest-growing fire risks.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Prevention and Protection, London Fire Brigade, Richard Field’s statement

Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Prevention and Protection, Richard Field, said: “We urge people who own these devices to follow the safety advice that will help to protect those around them and their properties.”

“E-bikes and e-scooters are a green and sustainable way to travel around our city. However, they can pose a significant fire risk, if not properly cared for, this is particularly true for the batteries used to power them which have become one of London’s fastest-growing fire risks.

“From our investigations, we know many of the fires we’ve attended have involved second-hand vehicles or a bike that was 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 can’t be confident that products meet the correct safety standard.”

Lithium batteries cause two separate fires in London homes: Summary

The London Fire Brigade has spoken out about two seperate fires in less than 24 hours, both caused by lithium batteries in both an e-scooter and e-bike.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Prevention and Protection, Richard Field said that e-bikes and e-scooters pose a significant fire risk is not properly cared for.