Hackney fire: Mother and son in hospital after jumping from windows to escape e-bike house fire

A mother and son are in hospital after being forced to jump from a window to escape an e-bike battery fire in a house in east London.

The fire destroyed most of the three storey-house in Hackney the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said.

The mother and son were forced to jump from the window as the e-bike that had caught fire was at the bottom of a staircase leading to the ground floor, blocking their exit route. LFB said the mother has sustained serious injuries.

Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters responded to the blaze on King Edward’s Road in Hackney shortly after 3am on Thursday morning December 14.

It took nearly two hours to bring the fire under control.

LFB assistant commissioner for fire safety Charlie Pugsley said: “This was a devastating fire that has destroyed a home and is a prime example of why the brigade has been running its #ChargeSafe awareness campaign.

“A mother and son who were inside the home when the fire occurred had no choice but to leap from windows because their escape route was blocked.

“If you own an e-bike or e-scooter, do not store or charge it on an escape route such as a hallway.

“If you can’t keep it outside, put it in a room where you can shut a door and contain a fire.”

This fire comes just days after a charging battery pack for an e-bike caught fire in the living room of a flat in Harringay. It left a teenager suffering burns.

In 2023, there have now been 150 e-bike fires in London, along with 28 e-scooter fires, the LFB said.

This is 53% more than the whole of 2022 and makes e-bikes and e-scooters the capital’s fastest-growing fire trend. Three people have died and around 60 people have been hurt in fires this year.

With Christmas fast approaching, LFB is urging people to be careful about where they buy their e-bikes and e-scooters and how they use them.

Assistant Commissioner Pugsley said: “From our investigations, we know many of the fires we’ve attended have involved second-hand vehicles, the use of incorrect chargers, 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 we cannot be confident that products meet the correct safety standard.”