The fire broke out at a property in Hitchin Close (credit:LFB)
Two people, a man and woman, were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation after the two-storey mid terraced house in Hitchin Close caught alight at around 3am on Wednesday, 3 April.
Half of the ground floor of the property was damaged. The first floor and staircase was destroyed and half of the roof was also damaged.
The Brigade’s 999 Control Officers received around eight calls about the fire and crews from Harold Hill, Romford, Hornchurch and Dagenham fire stations attended the scene, along with a crew from Essex Fire and Rescue Service.
The fire was brought under control an hour later.
London Fire Brigade have now revealed the fire is being treated as accidental and is believed to have been caused by the catastrophic failure of lithium batteries in a converted e-bike.
A Brigade spokesperson said: “This fire that has left a home destroyed and is yet another example of how devastating fires caused by e-bikes can be. In 2023, the Brigade attended a fire, on average, once every couple of days.
“At this fire in Harold Hill, the e-bike was stored under the stairs when it caught alight. We recommend storing an e-bike or e-scooter outside or in a shed or garage, if you can. If you are keeping in inside, make sure it’s not an escape route.
“The e-bike had been converted from a normal e-bike. Converting pedal bikes into e-bikes using DIY kits bought online can be very dangerous. They can pose a higher risk of fire. 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.
“From our investigations, we know many of the fires we’ve attended have involved second-hand vehicles 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.”
E-bikes and e-scooters are powered by lithium batteries which the Brigade says if they’re overheated, crushed, penetrated or overcharged, then a fault can occur within damaged battery cells which may cause the battery to catch fire and/or explode.
The Brigade spokesperson continued: “E-bikes and e-scooters are a sustainable way of travelling around but it must be done safely. Lithium batteries are susceptible to failure if incorrect chargers are used, so it’s important to always use the correct charger for the product and buy an official one from a reputable seller. You should also unplug your charger when you have finished using it and we would advise not to leave it unattended or charging while people are asleep.”
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Tags: London Fire Brigade, Harold Hill, Havering
