A woman leapt from a first-floor window to escape a blaze sparked by two charging e-bikes in Brent, northwest London. The fire, caused by a lithium battery failure, blocked the main escape route of a detached house converted into flats.
Fire Incident Details
Firefighters were called to Brondesbury Park shortly before 5am on Wednesday, June 10, after the e-bikes' lithium batteries ignited. The flames quickly obstructed the primary exit, forcing the woman to jump to safety. Three other residents managed to escape by climbing onto a flat roof at the rear of the property as the fire intensified.
The fire was deemed accidental, attributed to a battery failure in an e-bike that was charging at the time. The bikes also blocked the doors to the flat, leaving windows as the only means of escape.
London Fire Brigade Warning
The London Fire Brigade has issued fresh warnings after attending an e-bike or e-scooter fire on average every other day. A spokesperson stated: "The fire blocked the residents' main escape route, preventing them from exiting the flat. As a result, they were forced to evacuate through bedroom windows."
They emphasised: "This incident highlights why you should always ensure your escape route is clear and why we recommend never storing an e-bike or e-scooter on your means of escape, such as a hallway or by your front door. Instead, keep it in a room where you can shut a door, contain the fire, and call 999."
Safety Recommendations
- Install working smoke alarms and heat detectors in every room where a fire could start, except kitchens or bathrooms.
- Do not block escape routes with e-bikes or e-scooters.
- Store e-bikes in a room where a door can be closed to contain a potential fire.
The Brigade added: "Last year, we saw a record number of fires [206] involving e-bikes or e-scooters. We urge owners to follow our #ChargeSafe advice to keep themselves and others safe."
