The blaze broke out on Rangefield Road in Bromley at around 11am on Thursday, September 11, with London Fire Brigade linking the incident to a faulty battery on a converted e-bike.
A woman and a teenager were taken to hospital, and part of the mid-terraced house was damaged.
Overnight charging blamed for intense e-bike fire on Rangefield Road(Image: London Fire Brigade)
Stuart West, station commander at the scene, said: “This incident is a stark reminder of the importance of following our safety advice when using e-bikes and e-scooters.
“In this case, the battery of a converted e-bike had been left charging overnight and into the day.
“When it failed, it resulted in an intense fire.
“Crews worked exceptionally hard to contain the blaze quickly, targeting the flames through an open window to limit further damage.
“Fortunately, the occupant was alerted to the fire and was able to leave the property.”
London Fire Brigade said e-bikes and e-scooters are one of London’s fastest-growing fire risks. Since the beginning of 2023, there has been a fire involving an e-bike or e-scooter, on average, every other day.
A spokesperson for the brigade said: “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.
“It is vital that you do not store or charge the device on an escape route such as a hallway. We have seen incidents where people have had to jump from windows or be rescued by firefighters because their escape route has been blocked by fire or smoke. If it is not possible to keep the device outside or in a shed or garage, make sure it is in a room where you can shut the door and contain a fire.
“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.
“If you’re converting your bike from a pushbike into an e-bike, make sure you get a professional or competent person to carry out the conversion.”
The brigade received five 999 calls about the fire.
Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Bromley, Beckenham, and Lewisham were sent to the scene.
The fire was brought under control by 11.59am.
