Hammersmith: Five treated after e-bike fire in block

London Fire Brigade said the fire broke out at the 18-floor block of flats on Thursday night

Five people, including a child, have been treated for smoke inhalation following a fire in a high-rise building believed to have been caused by a converted e-bike.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) said the fire broke out at the 18-floor block of flats on Great Church Lane in Hammersmith, west London, on Thursday night.

The brigade added three adults suffering smoke inhalation were led to safety from the fifth and sixth floors of the building and were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service (LAS).

A woman and child suffering smoke inhalation were treated at the scene.

London Fire Brigade said an e-bike on the fifth floor was damaged by fire

In a statement, LFB said it was called at 20:42 BST and the fire was under control by 22:30.

Five fire engines and around 30 firefighters from Kensington, Fulham, Chiswick and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.

A spokesperson for the brigade said that half an e-bike on the fifth floor was damaged by fire. They added that they believe the blaze was caused by "the failure of a battery pack on a converted e-bike that was charging".

An LFB spokesperson said e-bikes and e-scooters "are London's fastest-growing fire risk" and recommended people take safety measures including:

• Not converting pedal bikes into e-bikes using DIY kits bought online, as they "can be very dangerous" and "pose a higher risk of fire"

• Using a professional or competent person to carry out any bike conversion and to buy a new battery - not a second-hand one - from a reputable seller

• Use the correct charger, do not over-charge the battery and "never charge an e-bike or e-scooter unattended or when you're sleeping"

• Do not charge e-bikes on an escape route, such as in a hallway

LAS has been contacted for a response.