Shepherd’s Bush high-rise fire caused by e-bike prompts safety warning from firefighters

Firefighters have issued an urgent e-bicycle security warning following a serious blaze at a block of flats in Shepherd’s Bush yesterday.

At the height of the incident, 60 firefighters were tackling the fireplace in a 12^th ground flat. Hearth crews led 6 individuals to security and a single guy was taken to clinic.

The Brigade’s fire investigators have identified the blaze was accidental and prompted by the failure of an e-bike’s lithium-ion battery.

London’s firefighters have witnessed a enormous spike in e-bicycle and e-scooter incidents as they have grow to be more well known in modern several years and have issued several warnings about how ferocious the fires can be.

Just this yr, crews have previously attended 32 fires involving e-bikes and a different seven involving e-scooters. So much in 2022, there have been a further more 17 fires involving other lithium-ion batteries and past calendar year, in overall there had been much more than 100 fires in the capital involving lithium-ion batteries.

The Brigade’s Assistant Commissioner for Fire Protection, Charlie Pugsley, stated: “It’s incredibly relating to that we are continuing to see a rise in incidents involving e-bikes.

“When these batteries and chargers are unsuccessful, they do so with ferocity and for the reason that the fires produce so promptly the problem can swiftly become extremely major.

“These merchandise are generally stored in communal spots and corridors and can block people’s only signifies of escape.

“Another challenge with fires involving lithium-ion batteries and which we observed at yesterday’s fireplace is that when they fail, they eject their contents above a broad place which can lead to a number of regions of burning in the room the place the fireplace has started off.”

The Brigade’s information is to never ever shop e-bikes or e-scooters in communal spots as if they are included in a fireplace, it can simply block the only signifies of escape.

Our fire investigators have decided that a lot of of the e-bicycle incidents have concerned e-bicycle conversion kits (to change a typical push bike into an electrical bike fairly than purpose created types). These only supply the motors and manage equipment but batteries have to be sourced independently.

Assistant Commissioner Pugsley included: “There is a sizeable possibility posed by the e-bikes which have been transformed and we are predominantly observing fires in ones which have been obtained from on the internet sector spots and batteries which have been sourced on the online, which may not meet up with the suitable safety specifications.

“Lithium-ion batteries are susceptible to failure if incorrect chargers are applied.

“Our assistance is to check out and retailer and demand these goods in a risk-free location if probable, these types of as in a drop or garage, and if they have to be stored inside, make absolutely sure there is smoke detection fitted and your indicates of escape is not obstructed.

“However we know this will not be achievable for everyone, so if you are charging them indoors, make sure you stick to our guidance on employing harmless charging and make sure everybody in your property is aware of what to do in the party of a fire.

“Make confident they are billed in a area the place there is smoke detection and on a difficult, flat surface area.

“We would also propose individuals consider not to cost them when they are asleep, so that if there is an issue they can respond rapidly.”

You can get hearth security guidance tailored to your dwelling by employing our cost-free on the web Home Fireplace Safety Checker. It will enable you to have out a extensive check of you property in only a few minutes.

A spokesperson from Hammersmith and Fulham Council stated: “We are grateful to the emergency expert services for their fast response yesterday. 

“We urge all inhabitants to comply with London Hearth Brigade’s advice when charging e-scooters and e-bikes at dwelling.

“These batteries and chargers, frequently acquired unregulated on the net, are very unsafe and expose persons to unacceptable risk. So we will be looking to choose robust steps to ban charging inside of council accommodation and appear to the governing administration to help us to do this.

“We would also remind e-scooter entrepreneurs that their use on community roadways is unlawful.”

E-bike and e-scooter protection advice:

• Constantly use the proper charger for the merchandise and invest in an official one particular from a reliable seller.
• Batteries can get heat in the course of their use and it is sensible to make it possible for them to awesome down before making an attempt to re-charge as they could be extra vulnerable to failure.
• Batteries must constantly be charged on really hard flat surfaces exactly where heat can dissipate.
• Batteries can also pose a threat if they have been damaged, so check out to assure they are not finding knocked all around even though in use or while currently being carried as spares as this can increase the possibility of hurt to cells.
• You really should always make guaranteed you unplug your charger when it’s completed charging. Normally follow manufacturers’ instructions when charging and we would recommend not to depart it unattended or although persons are asleep.
• Guarantee you have smoke alarms fitted in spots where by e-bikes or e-scooters are staying charged and make certain they are examined on a regular basis.
• Hardly ever block your escape route with everything, which includes bikes and scooters. Keep them someplace away from a key by way of route.