Two people suffering from smoke inhalation were taken to hospital

Firefighters are issuing a reminder about using e-bikes safely after a fire in Hornsey in the early hours of this morning (Tuesday 28th).

Part of a ground floor flat in a four-storey residential block in Birkbeck Road was damaged by fire. A man and a woman were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews suffering from smoke inhalation. Around 30 other people left the block before firefighters arrived.

The fire is believed to have been caused by the catastrophic failure of a battery pack on a converted e-bike that was charging.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “E-bikes and e-scooters are London’s fastest-growing fire risk. If you own an e-bike or e-scooter, there are a number of things you can do to help keep yourself and those around you safe.

“The e-bike had been converted from a normal e-bike. Converting pedal bikes into e-bikes using DIY kits bought online can be very dangerous. They can 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. 

“When charging your e-bike or e-scooter, make sure you are using the correct charger. Mismatching the charger 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 and don’t charge it on an escape route, such as in a hallway. Instead, charge or store the device outdoors or in a shed. If this is not possible, make sure the device is in a room where you can shut a door and contain a fire.”

E-bikes and e-scooters are powered by lithium batteries. Lithium batteries store a significant amount of energy in a very small space and are much more powerful compared to other types of batteries. If that energy is released in an uncontrolled way, then a fire or explosion may result. If there is overheating, crushing, penetrating or overcharging, then a fault can occur within damaged battery cells which may cause the battery to catch fire and/or explode.

Many of the fires have involved second-hand vehicles or the bike has been modified using parts bought online. At this time, there is not the same level of regulation of products for e-bikes and e-scooters sold via online marketplaces or auction sites when compared to high street shops, so the brigade cannot be confident that products meet the correct safety standard.

The brigade was called to this fire at 4.43am and the fire was extinguished by 5.30am. Three fire engines from Hornsey and Holloway fire stations attended the scene.

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