Two e-bikes burst into flames at a flat in Brent, London, blocking a woman’s escape route and forcing her to jump from a window
A woman was forced to leap from a first-floor window after two e-bikes burst into flames at a flat in London.
Emergency services rushed to Brondesbury Park, Brent, to tackle the blaze at a detached house that had been converted into flats.
The blaze was caused by a lithium battery failure on an e-bike that was charging with a second bike then going up in flames during the incident at around 5am on June 10. The bikes obstructed the doors to a flat, leaving windows as the only escape route.
A woman escaped by jumping from a first-floor window at the front of the building while three other residents managed to get out by climbing onto a flat roof at the rear of the property on the first floor.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “The fire blocked the residents’ main escape route, preventing them from exiting the flat. As a result, they were forced to evacuate the building through bedroom windows.
“This incident highlights why you should always ensure your escape route is clear and why we recommend never storing an 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.
“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 one 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.”
