Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters tackled a house fire believed to have been caused by an e-bike on Farmfield Road in Bromley.
Half of the ground floor and most of the staircase and first floor of an end-of-terrace house were damaged. Part of the roof was also damaged by fire. Two women were treated on scene by London Ambulance Service crews after suffering from smoke inhalation and a child was taken to hospital.
The fire is believed to have been accidental and caused by the failure of a lithium battery pack for an e-bike.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "If you can, store an e-bike or e-scooter outdoors in an external location such as a garage or shed. However, we understand that this is not possible for everyone. If you keep an e-bike or e-scooter indoors. Make sure it is never being stored or charged on an escape route, such as a hallway, by the front door or on or under a staircase. Instead, have it in a room away from the door, where in the event of a fire, you can shut the door and get everyone to safety."
E-bikes and e-scooters are one of London's fastest-growing fire risks. Since the beginning of 2023, there has been a fire involving an e-bike or e-scooter, on average, once every two days.
The Brigade spokesperson continued: "E-bikes and e-scooters are a green and sustainable way to travel around our city. However, the stark reality is that some of these vehicles are proving to be incredibly dangerous and are at greater risk of malfunctioning, particularly if they’ve been modified, fitted or converted with second-hand products or if the batteries are used with the incorrect chargers.
"We encourage anyone who owns an e-bike or e-scooter, or is thinking about purchasing one, to take a look at all of our #ChargeSafe advice on our website to help keep themselves and those around them safer from these types of fires."
The Brigade’s Control Officers took the first of seven calls to the fire at 0858 and mobilised crews from Bromley, Lee Green, Lewisham, Forest Hill and surrounding fire stations to the scene. The fire was under control by 1030.