Family flee fire as service offers e-bike advice

A red Guernsey fire and rescue fire engine outside in a built up area with blue skies. The side panels where the hoses are kept is open. There is a silver car next to the truck.
Image caption,

The cause of the blaze is still under investigation

  • Published

A fire service has issued advice on the safe use of electric bikes following a house blaze in Guernsey.

The island's fire and rescue service said crews were called to a property in the Vale on Tuesday evening.

On Facebook, external it said: "A fire had started in the kitchen of a family home, and involved an electric bike. The actual cause of the fire is still under investigation."

No-one was injured in the blaze.

The service said: "Luckily the family had working smoke detection which raised the alarm and allowed them to escape without injury."

It added: "E-bikes offer an environmentally-friendly, affordable and convenient mode of transport, and while most e-bikes and their batteries are safe when used correctly, lithium-ion batteries can cause serious fires, particularly if they are of poor quality, damaged or not used properly.

"Many fires are caused by incompatible parts or by purchasing defective/poorly manufactured parts, particularly if they are sold by rogue online sellers."

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