Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were called to a house fire on Lewis Road in Mitcham.
A semi-detached two-storey house was completely destroyed by fire. A small part of the roof of the next door house was damaged in the blaze. Most of a car parked at the front of the property was also destroyed by fire.
Two women and four men left the house before the Brigade arrived.
The fire is believed to have been accidental and was caused by the failure of a lithium-ion battery for an e-bike.
A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade said: "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.
"The Brigade is attending incidents where bikes are converted from a normal pedal cycle by having lithium-ion batteries fitted. It is vital that any conversion is carried out by a professional or competent person.
"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 999 Control officers received the first of 26 calls alerting them to the fire at 0811. They mobilised crews from Mitcham, Tooting, Norbury, Sutton and Wallington fire stations. The fire was under control by 1043.
E-bike or e-scooter top safety tips
- Never block your escape route with anything, including e-bikes and e-scooters. Store them somewhere away from a main through route. Our advice is to store these items in a safe external location if possible, such as a garage or a shed.
- Always use the correct charger, otherwise the risk of fire increases, and buy an official one from a reputable seller.
- Do not attempt to modify or tamper with your battery. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Converting pedal bikes into e-bikes using DIY kits bought online can be very dangerous. They pose a higher risk of fire. Get a professional or competent person to carry out the conversion and make sure to buy a battery from a reputable seller and that it is not second-hand.
- Check your battery and charger meets UK safety standards. We have particular concern where batteries have been purchased from online marketplaces and when they've been sourced on the internet, which may not meet the correct safety standards. Consumers buying any product can check that the item displays a UKCA or CE mark that ensures that the products meet UK and EU safety, health or environmental requirements. If buying online, buy from a UK supplier.
- Watch out for signs that the battery or charger aren’t working as they should – e.g. if the battery is hot to the touch or has changed shape.
- Let the battery cool before charging. Batteries can get warm during their use and it is advisable to allow them to cool down before attempting to re-charge as they could be more susceptible to failure if overheated. If you are charging batteries indoors, please follow our advice on safe charging.
- Unplug your charger once it’s finished charging. Always follow manufacturers’ instructions when charging and we would advise not to leave it unattended or while people are asleep.
- Fit alarms where you charge. Ensure you have smoke alarms fitted in areas where e-bikes or e-scooters are being charged and make sure they are tested regularly. You can quickly and easily check your home by visiting our free online home fire safety checker tool