Firefighters are urging Londoners to follow crucial safety advice when charging and storing e-bikes, following a serious fire in a flat above a shop on Whitechapel Road in Whitechapel on Saturday morning.
The fire, believed to have been caused by the failure of a lithium-ion battery pack from a converted e-bike, broke out in a flat spanning three floors. Half of the second floor was damaged by flames, while the remainder of the second floor and the entire third floor suffered significant smoke damage.
Three people had to be dramatically rescued from the roof by firefighters using a 32-metre turntable ladder. Six others escaped via an internal staircase before emergency crews arrived. In total, nine people were assessed at the scene by London Ambulance Service, with two taken to hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation as a precaution.
‘One of London’s Fastest-Growing Fire Risks’
Whitechapel Fire Station Commander Tony Jackson, who attended the incident, praised the swift work of his team but reiterated growing concerns over the fire risks posed by e-bikes.
“Firefighters worked professionally to bring three people to safety and ensure that no one was seriously hurt in this fire,” he said. “But e-bikes are one of London’s fastest-growing fire risks, and this incident is another example of the dangers posed by lithium-ion battery packs.”
He warned that batteries from modified or converted e-bikes — especially those with second-hand parts or used with incorrect chargers — carry a higher risk of malfunctioning and catching fire.
“One of the residents opened a bedroom door to find thick smoke inside, which we know from lithium battery fires is extremely toxic,” he added.
Safety Advice from the London Fire Brigade
Station Commander Jackson reminded e-bike and e-scooter owners to:
- Avoid charging batteries while sleeping or leaving them unattended.
- Only use the correct charger and never overcharge the battery.
- Keep e-bikes and e-scooters away from escape routes like hallways or doorways.
- Store them outside or in a secure, enclosed space like a shed, where possible.
- Ensure conversions are done professionally and avoid purchasing batteries or kits from unregulated online marketplaces.
The London Fire Brigade’s #ChargeSafe campaign, launched in 2023, continues to raise awareness of the dangers posed by e-bike and e-scooter fires. Firefighters will be out in the Whitechapel area next week engaging with riders — including gig-economy delivery drivers — to provide safety guidance and tips.
Swift Response
The London Fire Brigade received 13 emergency calls about the blaze, which was reported at 8:04am. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Whitechapel, Shadwell, Bethnal Green and Dowgate stations attended the scene. The fire was brought under control by 9:16am.
A Growing Concern
The incident adds to a growing number of e-bike-related fires across the capital. With e-bikes and e-scooters becoming more popular, particularly among delivery workers, fire officials are calling for tighter regulation of lithium-ion battery products sold online.
