A massive fire ravaged a semi-detached house, gutting most of the ground floor, the entire first floor, and part of the loft. A man fled the blaze before firefighters arrived and was rushed to hospital.
Blaze Linked to E-Bike Battery Explosion
The fire is believed to have started accidentally, sparked by lithium-ion batteries from an e-bike. Fire Brigade experts warn these batteries can fail spectacularly, especially if the wrong chargers are used or if e-bikes have been modified.
“Lithium-ion batteries can eject burning material over a wide area, causing multiple fires in the room,” said a Fire Brigade spokesperson.
Firefighters Issue Safety Warning on E-Bike Charging
- Charge batteries in safe areas like sheds or garages, if possible.
- If charging indoors, always have smoke detectors fitted.
- Keep escape routes clear at all times.
- Charge batteries on hard, flat surfaces — never on soft furnishings.
- Avoid charging batteries while asleep to react quickly if a fire breaks out.
Rapid Fire Response
The Brigade was called at 12:53am and brought the fire under control by 2:15am. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Hillingdon, Southall, and Hayes stations battled the blaze.
Residents are urged to follow safety advice closely to prevent similar dangerous fires.
