A warning has been issued after a major tower block blaze was sparked by an e-bike battery. All residents had to be evacuated during the fire at Mulberry Court in Salford.
Video footage showed flames flashing through the window of a 10th floor flat, as plumes of smoke billowed from the building.
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The incident warranted a massive emergency response, with North West Ambulance Service incident response teams called to the scene, as well as police officers and fire crews. Miraculously, no-one was hurt in the fire which began at around 8am on December 27 last year. An estimated £90,000 damage was caused.
At the height of the incident, six fire engines, one Turntable Ladder, one Technical Response Unit, one Command Support Unit, and a further two dedicated supporting fire appliances, were in attendance after being called out at 8.10am. Firefighters, using breathing apparatus, tackled what was an intense fire, bringing it under control using water jets and spent over six hours at the scene of the 88-flat 17-storey block.
A report by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has concluded that the fire was caused by an e-bike battery that had been charging in the bedroom of the property.
Now housing association, Salix Homes, which Salix Homes has now shared shocking images of the fire damage caused to the flat in a bid to warn others of the potential dangers. They show the charred inside of the flat which was destroyed.
Stewart Kerr, Building Safety Manager at Salix Homes, said: “Thankfully no one was injured during the fire at Mulberry Court, but the outcome could have been very different, and we want to warn our residents about the dangers associated with charging the lithium batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters.
“We’ve carried out extensive fire safety improvements to all our tower blocks in Salford, and fortunately the fire was contained to the flat where it originated, but the ferocity at which the fire took hold and the damage it caused to the property is quite shocking.
“The fire service has seen a rise in e-bike related fires and we are seeing more of our tenants owning and using e-bikes and e-scooters, so we want to ensure they’re taking the necessary steps to ensure they’re not putting peoples’ lives or homes at risk.”
Most e-bikes and e-scooters on the market in the UK bought from reputable manufacturers meet the stringent safety regulations, but many of the safety issues are arising from converter kits, which are lithium-ion battery packs designed to convert a standard bike to an e-bike. There are growing concerns about these converter kits sold online, which do not meet UK safety regulations and present an increased fire risk.
Last year, GMFRS attended 14 fires that had been sparked by e-bikes and e-scooters, an increase from eight in 2021 and three in 2020.
GMFRS's Head of Prevention Area Manager, Billy Fenwick said: "This incident, given it is in a high-rise building, could have been lot worse had firefighters not acted so quickly in controlling and extinquishing the fire, alongside the building's fire safety measures.
"The fire started due to a faulty lithium-ion battery pack that was left charging and the pictures show just how quickly this type of fire can rip through a property. We are urging everyone with an electric bike to be responsible and follow our safety guidance.
"Batteries can be a fire risk if they’re over-charged, short circuited, or damaged, so it’s important to protect them against being damaged and to charge them safely. It’s also really important that when buying an electric bike, purchase them – as well as the batteries and chargers - from a reputable seller. It’s the same if you are buying a kit to convert your normal bike to an electric one; buy from a reputable seller and check that it complies with British or European standards.”
As part of the e-bike safety campaign, Salix Homes has now issued safety advice to its residents, which includes:
- Never charge your electric bikes or e-scooters while you’re sleeping or not at home
- Unplug your charger once it’s finished charging
- Never block your escape route with your e-bike or e-scooter
- Never tamper with the battery and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions
- Ensure your battery and charger meets UK safety standards and always use the correct charger
- Never cover your charger as this could lead to it overheating or setting on fire
- Be wary of DIY kits bought on-line to convert a standard bike into an e-bike
Find out more about the risks associated with e-bikes and other fire safety advice on our website www.salixhomes.co.uk/e-bikesafety GMFRS has also launched a campaign to raise awareness about e-bike safety. Find out more on their website: E-bikes and e-scooters - Greater Manchester Fire Rescue Service
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