Firefighters are issuing another reminder about using e-bikes and e-scooters fire safely following a fire at a property on New Road in Uxbridge.
The fire occurred in a semi-detached house that has been converted into a house in multiple occupation. Part of the ground floor was damaged by fire. A man and a woman were treated at the scene for minor smoke inhalation.
The fire is being treated as accidental and is believed to have been caused by the failure of an e-bike battery pack that was on charge at the time.
Station Officer Simon Hall, who is based at Hillingdon Fire Station and was the Incident Commander, said: "This fire occurred in the middle of the night when the occupants were sleeping. They were alerted to the fire after the smoke alarm started sounding, demonstrating the importance of working smoke alarms, which allowed them to get to safety quickly and call 999.
"In London, we have been attending a fire, on average every other day involving an e-bike or e-scooter. Last year, we saw a record number of fires [206] and this is why we urge those who own of these vehicles or are thinking about purchasing one to take a look at our #ChargeSafe advice to help keep themselves and those around them safe.”
To reduce the risk of fires starting in the first place, it is vital that people are using batteries that have been purchased from a reputable seller. Items purchased online or second-hand, which don’t meet UK safety standards, are particularly prone to going up in flames.
Mismatching the charger also increases the risk of fire. It's also important not to overcharge and to unplug the charger once it's completed charging. Never charge an e-bike or e-scooter unattended or whilst you're sleeping.
Converting a bike from a pushbike into an e-bike should always be carried out by a professional or competent person.
The Brigade was called at 0211 and Control Officers mobilised three fire engines from Hillingdon and Hayes fire stations to the scene. The fire was extinguished by 0304.