A lithium-ion vape battery sparked a fire at a flat in a six-storey block of flats in south London on Tuesday afternoon. The London Fire Brigade was called to the block on Woolwich Common at around 3.30pm. Fire crews from Plumstead, East Greenwich, and Eltham responded, with the fire under control by 4.24pm. Half of a three-bedroom flat on the third floor was damaged in the blaze.
Investigation confirms accidental cause
Control officers provided survival guidance to neighbouring properties before firefighters arrived. The brigade’s investigators have said the fire was accidental and likely caused by the failure of a lithium-ion battery inside a vape.
The London Fire Brigade has issued a warning urging Londoners to avoid purchasing “fake” chargers, to avoid storing or charging batteries at very high or low temperatures, and to not leave items continuously on charge - for example, overnight. Chargers and charging devices should never be covered, including using your laptop power lead in bed.
Wider concerns over vape disposal
Concerns have also been raised over vape fires at recycling centres, with over ten fires breaking out across the UK each week due to careless disposal of vapes.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Batteries can present a fire risk if they’re over-charged, short circuited, submerged in water or damaged, so it’s really important to protect them against being damaged and charge them safely.
“Unplug devices once they have finished charging and make sure you use the right charger for your device.
“This is also a timely reminder to test your smoke alarms. Having working smoke alarms is so important in helping to detect fires and save lives. They can provide time to escape.”
Battery safety advice
Always use the charger that came with your phone, tablet, e-cigarette or mobile device. If you need to buy a replacement, always choose a branded, genuine product from a supplier you can trust. There are lots of fakes out there, and it can be difficult to spot the difference.
Avoid storing, using or charging batteries at very high or low temperatures. Protect batteries against being damaged - that's crushed, punctured, or immersed in water. Don’t leave items continuously on charge after the charge cycle is complete - it's best not to leave your phone plugged in overnight for example. Never cover chargers or charging devices - that includes using your laptop power lead in bed. When you travel, avoid keeping all your items containing lithium-ion batteries together, especially on a plane. Check with your flight carrier for additional information or advice.
