'Extraordinary escape' for London family after e-bike explodes in middle of the night

• A Brixton home was engulfed by flames after a converted e-bike exploded in the early hours.
• London Fire Brigade says it was a “lucky escape” for the family of four.
• Much of the property was damaged in the fire and a woman was taken to hospital.
• Fire crews received around 5 calls about the blaze shortly after 2:20am this morning (11th March)

A London family had a lucky escape after batteries on a converted e-bike exploded in the middle of the night at a maisonette on Willington Road in Brixton overnight (11 March).

Most of the second floor of a split-level maisonette was damaged by fire. The third floor was damaged by heat and smoke. One woman and three children left the property before firefighters arrived and were treated for smoke inhalation, including the woman who was taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews.

The fire is being treated as accidental and is believed to have been caused by the catastrophic failure of lithium batteries on a converted e-bike that was being charged at the time of the fire.

As it happened

Lambeth Borough Commander, Jonathan Holt, said: "This appears to have been an extraordinary escape for this family after their home became engulfed in flames in the middle of the night. One of the occupants was alerted to a loud bang and discovered the fire, quickly alerting the others to get out.

"The first firefighters were on scene within three minutes of being alerted and observed thick black smoke billowing from the property. The scale of devastation caused by this fire demonstrates just how ferocious fires involving lithium batteries can be.

"Next Monday (17 March), firefighters and representatives from the local council and other partners will be holding an event in Brixton town centre, where we will be delivering our #ChargeSafe advice to people who use e-bikes and e-scooters."

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London’s fastest-growing fire risk

E-bikes and e-scooters have become one of London's fastest-growing fire risks. In 2023 and 2024, there has been a fire on average every other day.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Prevention & Protection, Richard Field, added: "E-bikes and e-scooters can be a great and sustainable way to travel around our city but they must be used safely otherwise the risk of a fire increases.

"Converting pedal bikes into e-bikes using DIY kits bought online can be very dangerous. 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 or the batteries for them, 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 and that you have working smoke detection fitted."

The Brigade's Control Officers received around five calls about the fire. The Brigade was called at 2:24am and four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Clapham, Brixton and Lambeth fire stations were mobilised to the scene. The fire was brought under control by 3:35am.