E-bike battery fire destroys family home

A "devastating" e-bike battery explosion has destroyed a family home days before Christmas, London Fire Brigade (LFB) has said.

The fire service has warned e-bikes can be "incredibly dangerous" after the fire in Renshaw Close in Catford, south-east London, on 14 December.

LFB said the e-bike had been converted from a conventional pedal cycle by having a battery pack fitted to it, and was being charged at the time of the fire.

Footage from a doorbell camera showed how quickly the house became engulfed. One occupant had to escape through the front door, and two others in a converted loft climbed through a skylight on to the roof.

LFB deputy assistant commissioner Richard Field described the fire as "devastating"

LFB said fire damaged most of the first floor of the house and destroyed the loft and that the e-bike had been bought from an online marketplace.

One male fell from the roof and suffered serious injuries, while a woman slipped but was caught by a firefighter, and later treated for smoke inhalation.

LFB deputy assistant commissioner Richard Field described the fire as "devastating" and said it was "fortunate that no lives have been lost".

He added: "We've seen around 160 e-bike and e-scooter fires in London this year and this incident highlights the dangers e-bikes and e-scooters can pose.

"E-bikes are one of London's fastest-growing fire risks, with a fire on average once every other day.

"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."

One occupant had to escape through the front door, and two others in a converted loft climbed through a skylight on to the roof

In June, a coroner called for government action after the death of a man whose home in Bristol caught fire when an e-bike battery pack he was charging overheated and ignited.

Also in June, a man from Cambridge called for urgent e-bike safety measures one year after his partner and two children died in a fire.

Lesley Rudd, chief executive of charity Electrical Safety First, said: "Batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters can cause devastating fires if they are modified, damaged, charged incorrectly or manufactured to a poor standard.

"The risk associated with these devices means it has never been more important to stick to a reputable high street retailer to ensure the device you are bringing into your home is safe."

In October, the Department for Business and Trade launched a campaign calling on people to buy only safe electrical products from reputable sellers.