Firefighters are issuing another reminder about e-bike and e-scooter safety after a flat fire on Haymill Close in Perivale.
Half of a flat on the first floor of a four storey block of flats was damaged by fire. The front door of the flat and the communal landing were also completely destroyed by the blaze.
The residents were alerted to the fire by a smoke alarm sounding. Two adults and two children left the building before the Brigade arrived. A further two adults from a neighbouring flat evacuated their property and made their way to scaffolding. They were both led to safety on the ground floor by fire crews. Four adults and two children suffering from smoke inhalation, were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service.
The Brigade's 999 Control officers received the first of six calls alerting them to the fire at 0011. They mobilised four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Ealing, Wembley and Northolt fire stations. The incident was over by 0159.
The cause of the fire is believed to be due to the failure of a lithium battery used on an e-scooter.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "“This incident highlights why you should always ensure your escape route is clear and why we recommend to never store your e-bike or e-scooter on your means of escape, such as a hallway or by your front door. We’ve seen the devastating consequences of what can happen when an exit is blocked by an e-scooter fire. Instead, keep it in a room where you can shut a door, contain the fire and call 999.
"This incident also highlights the importance of working smoke alarms and heat detection. Smoke alarms give the earliest possible warning when a fire starts and we would urge everyone to make sure they have one fitted in every room where a fire can start except kitchens or bathrooms where heat alarms are more appropriate.
"We encourage anyone who owns an e-bike or e-scooter, or is thinking about purchasing one, to take a look at all our #ChargeSafe advice on our website to help keep themselves and those around them safer from these types of fires."