Lewisham recorded the highest number of e-scooter and e-bike battery fires inside homes in London in 2025, with 20 incidents positively identified by the London Fire Brigade (LFB). Station Commander Mike Watts, based at Forest Hill Fire Station, revealed the figures to Lewisham Council’s Safer Stronger Communities Select Committee on July 2, 2025.
Fatalities and serious injuries
Since late 2024, there have been at least five high-profile incidents in Lewisham involving multiple serious injuries, including the death of 12-year-old Fabian Henry. Fabian died after a fire broke out at his home in Orchard Gardens shortly before midnight on July 8, 2025. Watts stated: “We are looking to raise awareness within the borough around the safe charging, safe storage, and safe use of e-scooter and e-bikes.”
Charging in communal areas
Watts noted that e-scooters and e-bikes in high-rise properties are often charged in communal areas because residents can use power points for free, avoiding individual meter charges. Adapted vehicles and incorrect chargers have led to fires, with hot jets of flames shooting out from scooters and bikes in some cases.
Safety campaign launch
The LFB will launch a two-month campaign starting July 20, supported by the council, to raise awareness about e-scooter and e-bike fires and reduce deaths and serious injuries. The campaign will appear in educational settings, on social media, the council’s website, and at events in Lewisham, Deptford, and Catford markets. LFB also plans to host drop-in days at fire stations and the Town Hall.
Hotspots identified
Councillor Kim Powell asked about hotspots for these fires. Watts said that while fires were spread across the borough in 2025, data shows they occur more frequently in high-rise residential premises and social housing.
Safety advice
Watts issued safety advice for owners: “Only buy and use e-bikes and e-scooters from recognised sellers, make sure they’re e-marked [and have] appropriate chargers. Don’t charge these in your hallways, always make sure there is one door separation between where you are and your escape route. Make sure you’ve got heat alarms rather than just smoke alarms in the room where the bikes are being charged and don’t charge them overnight when you’re asleep or when you’re not in the property.”
