Shocking footage emerges of devastating 'lithium fire' sparked when e-bike battery ignited

10 February 2022, 10:27

A fire caused by an e-bike battery pack ripped through the home
A fire caused by an e-bike battery pack ripped through the home. Picture: Twitter/London Fire Brigade

By Will Taylor

Shocking footage has emerged showing a devastating fire rip through a house after an e-bike battery ignited.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Horrified neighbours and onlookers watch as the blaze sends flames and smoke billowing out of the windows of the two-floor East London home.

People can be seen emerging from the terraced home next door as flames repeatedly flare out of the property and window frames detach.

The clip was posted to Twitter by retired firefighter Steve Dudeney.

Two people inside the home managed to escape, the London Fire Brigade said. It was prompted by the blaze to issue a warning about charging e-bikes.

Mr Dudeney tweeted: "A house fire in East London a couple of weeks ago caused by an e-scooter lithium battery.

"The burning batteries 'flaring' causes overpressure which looks like mini-backdraughts!!!"

Read more: Simon Cowell 'lucky to be alive' after second e-bike accident in 18 months

The London Fire Brigade said the fire, in Grove Road, Leytonstone, damaged part of the ground floor of the home but nobody was injured. The blaze broke out on January 17.

It is thought the fire was an accident, triggered by the failure of a lithium-ion battery pack for an e-bike that was left on charge.

The London Fire Brigade issued another e-bike warning after the fire
The London Fire Brigade issued another e-bike warning after the fire. Picture: London Fire Brigade

A spokesperson for the brigade said: "Two occupants were alerted to the fire when they heard bangs coming from a bedroom on the ground floor. They investigated and saw a fire in the room before leaving the building.

"We know that lithium-ion batteries are susceptible to failure if incorrect chargers are used, so it's important to always use the correct charger for the product and buy an official one from a reputable seller.

Read more: 'Step back from invading Ukraine,' Defence Secretary tells Putin as Boris heads for Nato talks

Read more: Anti-Semitic abuse soars to record levels in 2021 - up by a third from the previous year

"Batteries can also pose a risk if they have been damaged, so try to ensure they are not getting knocked around while in use or while being carried as spares as this can increase the chance of damage to cells. You should also not expose them to extremes of temperature.

"You should always make sure you 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.

"This is also a timely reminder to keep internal doors to rooms not in use closed to stop smoke spreading if a fire starts. The property sustained substantial smoke damaged due to internal doors inside the property being left open."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Liam Payne died last Wednesday.

One Direction star Liam Payne was 'sectioned' after near-fatal overdose months before death, close friend claims

Hostages (L-R) Sasha Trufanov, Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Yair Horn,

Hamas releases three hostages seized on October 7 in exchange for more than 360 Palestinians

uk british national lottery euromillions ticket with picks

Winning numbers revealed as single UK EuroMillions ticket holder scoops massive £65million Valentine’s Day jackpot

The Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt

Manhunt launched after woman seriously injured at village pub in Valentine's Day 'shooting'

Rob and Lindsey Burrow a few weeks before he died

Rob Burrow's wife reveals heartbreaking moment she knew rugby league star 'couldn't go on' with MND struggle

Axel Rudakubana will be 'target number one' in prison

Southport killer Axel Rudakubana's sentence won't be referred to Court of Appeal despite claims it's 'unduly lenient'

The damaged shield

'Risk of radioactive leak' after Russian 'high explosive' drone hits Chernobyl, causing 'significant damage'

The fire broke out at the Chiltern Firehouse

Fire engulfs celebrity haunt Chiltern Firehouse as 100 evacuated from luxury hotel

Trump confirms he will meet Starmer in Washington 'in the next few weeks'

Trump to meet with Starmer in Washington 'in the next few weeks' - as JD Vance slams Europe in fiery speech

Both Meghan and Kate shared Valentine's pictures

Harry and Meghan share sweet Valentine's photo after William and Kate also post romantic picture

Jaden Sheriff.

Man found guilty of killing ex-girlfriend's neighbour over 'blue balls', sentenced to life imprisonment

The woman was attacked by a shark

Horror as woman loses both hands after being mauled by shark as husband desperately fights it off

United States Vice-President JD Vance, second right, meets with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, third left, during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in Munich

'Putin is a liar': Zelenskyy's warning to Trump as Ukraine's leader voices concern over 'risky' phone calls with Russia

Addenbrookes hospital, Cambridge

Children's surgeon suspended after nine operations fall 'below standards' in Cambridge

Lesley Joseph refuses to discuss Pauline Quirke's dementia diagnosis.

'I won't talk about her at the moment': Lesley Joseph refuses to discuss Pauline Quirke's dementia diagnosis

Ada Bikakci

Girl, 9, killed after being hit by London bus, as driver charged with driving while drunk or on drugs