Brixton family make ‘extraordinary escape’ from house fire after e-bike explodes
A family made an “extraordinary escape” from a house fire in the early hours this morning after batteries in a converted e-bike exploded, igniting the property.
One woman and three children evacuated the maisonette in Willington Road, Brixton, before firefighters arrived on the scene.
The children were treated for smoke inhalation and the woman was taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews.
Four fire engines and about 25 firefighters were called at around 2.20am, after a member of the family heard a loud bang and discovered the fire.
The first firefighters were on the scene within three minutes of being alerted and saw thick black smoke billowing from the property.
Lambeth Borough Commander Jonathan Holt said: “This appears to have been an extraordinary escape for this family after their home became engulfed in flames in the middle of the night.
“The scale of devastation caused by this fire demonstrates just how ferocious fires involving lithium batteries can be.”
Most of the second floor of a split-level maisonette was damaged by fire. The third floor was damaged by heat and smoke.
Crews from Clapham, Brixton and Lambeth fire stations brought the blaze under control by around 3.30am.
The fire is being treated as accidental and is believed to have been caused by the failure of lithium batteries on a converted e-bike that was being charged at the time.
E-bikes and e-scooters have become one of London’s fastest-growing fire risks. In 2023 and 2024, there has been a fire on average every other day.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Prevention & Protection, Richard Field, added: “Converting pedal bikes into e-bikes using DIY kits bought online can be very dangerous. Get a professional person to carry out the conversion and make sure to buy a battery from a reputable seller.
“When charging your e-bike or e-scooter or the batteries for them, make sure you are using the correct charger. Mismatching the charger increases the risk of fire.
“Never charge an e-bike or e-scooter unattended or while you’re sleeping, and don’t charge it on an escape route, such as in a hallway.”
Next Monday, firefighters and representatives from the council and other partners will be holding an event in Brixton town centre, to deliver the London Fire Brigade’s (LFB) #ChargeSafe advice to people who use e-bikes and e-scooters.
Pictured top: The e-bike contained a converted battery which exploded causing the fire to spread across the property in Willington Road, Brixton (Picture: LFB)