Floor balcony to escape fire started by e-bike battery

A woman was forced to jump from a third-floor balcony in south-east London to escape a fire caused by an e-bike battery .

Crews from London Fire Brigade were called to a block of flats in Reculver Road, Lewisham just after 11am on Wednesday.

The woman was rushed to hospital with serious injuries which she sustained in the fall, London Fire Brigade said.

It is believed the fire was caused by a catastrophic failure of an e-bike battery that had been charging in the flat’s hallway for around 12 hours.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Prevention & Protection, Richard Field, said: “This incident highlights why you should always ensure your escape route is clear and why we recommend to never charge your e-bike or e-scooter on your means of escape, such as a hallway or by your front door.

“Although working smoke alarms helped alert the occupants quickly to this fire, a woman found herself trapped inside a bedroom with smoke travelling in.

“She decided to go out onto the balcony and jump to the ground, three storeys high.

“She has unfortunately sustained quite a serious injury due to the fall and we wish her well in her recovery.”
A man was also led to safety from the flat by firefighters and treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.

“In London, we have been attending a fire, on average every other day involving an e-bike or e-scooter,” Mr Field added.

“Last year, we saw a record number of 206 fires and this is why we urge those who own 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.”
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To reduce the risk of fires starting in the first place, it is vital that people are using batteries that have been purchased from a reputable seller, the LFB has warned.

Items purchased online or second-hand, which do not meet UK safety standards, are particularly prone to going up in flames.

Mismatching the charger also increases the risk of fire.