E-bikes: Seven in 'lucky escape' from battery fire

A warning has been issued over the dangers of e-bike battery fires after London Fire Brigade (LFB) said seven people had an "incredibly lucky" escape.

The brigade said it believed the blaze on Monday was caused by an e-bike battery that "burst into flames" at a flat in a block on Abbey Road, St John's Wood.

A resident then carried the burning battery into a communal stairwell and put it in front of a neighbour's door, which meant a fire escape route was blocked.

LFB said no-one was injured.

The brigade said it was called at 02:44 BST and the fire was brought under control by 04:27.

Station officer Steve Duffy, who was at the scene, said there were no working smoke alarms so the residents were only alerted to the noise of the battery crackling "by pure chance".

“This would have been a terrifying incident for all involved and it is incredibly lucky that no lives have been lost."

Mr Duffy added that the man who moved the battery was lucky not to have been seriously hurt, because lithium battery fires can produce "jets of flame" and a "toxic vapour cloud", and can be "hot enough to melt through metal".

"Our advice is to get away to safety and call 999."

The brigade said two people escaped from the building before crews arrived, with five remaining inside.

Part of a bedsit on the third floor was damaged by the fire, and the front door of a neighbouring flat was destroyed.

Although the battery was not "placed in an ideal spot", Mr Duffy said if it had been left in the bedroom "the other inhabitants could have been seriously injured or much, much worse".

“This fire is yet another example in London of the dangers e-bikes and e-scooters can pose if the battery fails catastrophically and catches fire," he added.

LFB's advice for charging an e-bike is do to so in a shed or garage or away from where people live.

The brigade said if the battery had to be charged or stored inside, this should be done in a room that does not obstruct an escape route and where smoke detectors are fitted and a door can be closed.

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