E-bike fires can be devastating, burns unit warns

Doctors at the biggest burns unit in the south of England have warned that injuries from e-bike and e-scooter fires can be "devastating".

Chelsea and Westminster NHS Hospital reported a rising number of patients with serious burns from the lithium battery fires.

There have been at least 146 of these blazes in London in 2023.

Consultant Isabel Jones said they could result in "far deeper wounds that don't tend to heal without surgery".

"Burns from e-bikes and e-scooters are a relatively new concern for us and the type of burns that we are seeing more of can be devastating to patients and their families," she added.

"Due to the fast-spreading nature of these fires, the burns we see are significant in size and require weeks of hospital treatment.

"Typically, they leave the patient permanently scarred and are severe compared to other types of burns."

Roger Mityero, from Tulse Hill, south London, received 10% burns on his left arm after an e-bike fire in August.

The 41-year-old, who was treated by the Chelsea and Westminster Burns unit, said the bike caught fire after it had been charging overnight.

"My skin was blown off," he said. "Never again would I have one in the house - it was like a box of fireworks going off.

"The little cylinders in the battery started popping and that led to a domino effect - nothing was going to stop it once it was alight."

London Fire Brigade's David Ardrey said: "It's shocking how London's leading burns unit is having to deal with an influx of serious injuries these fires cause.

"Storing e-bikes and e-scooters in a safe place and away from fire escape routes is vital and can prevent serious injury. If you notice a fire, don't tackle it - call 999 straight away."

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