E-bike blaze in Dalston prompts warning from firefighters about dangers of ‘cheaper batteries’

The burnt e-bike that investigators believe caused the fire. Photograph: London Fire Brigade

Firefighters have urged e-bike riders to steer clear of “cheaper batteries” after a blaze on Dalston Lane last night.

A man was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation when part of a second-floor flat in a converted church was damaged in the fire.

Around 40 firefighters from across the borough attended the scene after a call was put it in at 11.30pm, and the flames were under control by 12.15am.

Investigators believe the failure of a nearby e-bike’s lithium battery to be the cause.

They discovered that the bike, purchased online a month ago, had been taken off charge around 20 minutes before the battery exploded.

Part of a converted church was damaged. Photograph: London Fire Brigade

The London Fire Brigade’s (LFB) deputy commissioner Dom Ellis said: “Cheaper batteries purchased from online sources which don’t necessarily adhere to UK safety regulations are more likely to fail and present an increased fire risk.

“Our advice is always to buy from a reputable seller.”

So far this year, firefighters have dealt with 55 e-bike and 14 e-scooter fires in London.

Footage of two of those incidents shows how dangerous a lithium battery explosion can be, with the resulting fire often ferocious.

The LFB has been running a #ChargeSafe campaign to highlight the risks.

Its safety tips for all e-bike and e-scooter users state:

• Never block your escape route with anything, including e-bikes and e-scooters. Store them somewhere away from a main through route. Our advice is to store these items in a safe location if possible, such as a garage or a shed.
• Do not attempt to modify or tamper with your battery. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Converting pedal bikes into e-bikes using DIY kits bought online can be very dangerous. They pose a higher risk of fire.
• Check your battery and charger meets UK safety standards. Watch out for signs that the battery or charger aren’t working as they should – if it’s hot to the touch or has changed shape.
• Always use the correct charger and buy an official one from a reputable seller. We have particular concern where batteries have been purchased from online marketplaces and when they’ve been sourced on the internet, which may not meet the correct safety standards.
• Let the battery cool before charging. Batteries can get warm during their use and it is advisable to allow them to cool down before attempting to re-charge as they could be more susceptible to failure. If you are charging batteries indoors, please follow our advice on safe charging.
• Unplug your charger once it’s finished charging. Always follow manufacturers’ instructions when charging and we would advise not to leave it unattended or while people are asleep.
• Fit alarms where you charge. Ensure you have smoke alarms fitted in areas where e-bikes or e-scooters are being charged and make sure they are tested regularly. You can quickly and easily check your home by visiting our free online home fire safety checker tool.