Three people have been rescued from the roof of a flat in Whitechapel after an e-bike battery burst into flames.
London Fire Brigade has issued an urgent safety warning after a fire tore through an apartment building on Whitechapel Road in Whitechapel on Thursday.
Firefighters used a 32 metre turntable ladder to rescue three people from the roof of the property, while six other people left the flat before crews arrived.
Nine people were assessed at the scene by London Ambulance Service crews and two people were taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation as a precaution.
The fire is believed to have been caused by a lithium-ion battery pack, most likely used for a converted e-bike, firefighters say.
Tony Jackson, Station Commander at Whitechapel Fire Station, said e-bikes were becoming one of London’s “fastest-growing fire risks” and can be “incredibly dangerous” when they have been converted or modified in some way.
He said: “Firefighters worked professionally to bring three people to safety and ensure that no one was seriously hurt in this fire.
“E-bikes are one of London's fastest-growing fire risks and this incident is another example that we’re seeing in London of the risks that e-bike batteries can pose.
“One of the residents opened a bedroom door to find thick smoke inside, which we know from lithium battery fires is extremely toxic.”
Converted e-bikes, where a battery has been fitted to a normal pedal bike, are at greater risk of catching fire. A conversion should be carried out by a professional or competent person, Mr Jackson said.
“If you own an e-bike or e-scooter, we urge people to store it outside or in a location such as a shed if they can,” he added.
“If that’s not possible, ensure it’s not stored or being charged on an escape route, such as a hallway or by a door. Instead, keep it in a room where you can shut a door and contain a fire.
“When you’re charging your e-bike or e-scooter, make sure you’re not doing it when you’re sleeping or leaving it unattended. Use the correct charger and don’t overcharge the battery.”
