Firefighters were called to tackle a flat fire on Wellesley Road, Colchester, in the early hours of this morning.
Crews arrived at around 3am to find a second-floor flat heavily smoke-logged. They quickly worked to extinguish a fire that had broken out in the kitchen.
Following an investigation, it’s believed the blaze was sparked by an e-bike battery that was left charging in the kitchen.
Watch Manager Doc Holliday from Colchester Fire Station issued a strong warning to the public:
This incident highlights the importance of charging e-bikes and e-scooters safely.
Please use batteries and chargers recommended by the manufacturer and ensure they are in good condition.”
Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries, but fire services are urging all owners of e-bikes and e-scooters to review their charging habits to prevent further incidents.
The fire is the latest in a rising trend of battery-related blazes across the UK.
