A flat fire in Brixton brought on by an e-bike battery has led London Fire Brigade (LFB) to problem a security alert.
LFB mentioned a flat on the second flooring of a terraced home transformed into flats in Lambert Road was broken by the fire. Two fire engines and round 10 firefighters from Brixton fire station attended.
Two individuals left the affected flat earlier than firefighters arrived and there have been no stories of accidents.
The brigade’s fire investigators consider the fire was brought on by the failure of an e-bike’s lithium-ion batteries.
An LFB spokesperson mentioned: “Electric bikes and scooters are sometimes saved and charged in escape routes in properties or communal areas so, when a fire does happen, escape routes are blocked – which instantly makes an already critical state of affairs way more scary for these concerned.
“So please do be aware of the place you’re storing them.
“Many of the fires we’re seeing contain batteries which have been sourced on the web, which can not meet the right security requirements.
“We know that lithium-ion batteries are prone to failure if incorrect chargers are used, so it’s necessary to all the time use the right charger for the product and purchase an official one from a good vendor.
“Batteries can even pose a threat if they’ve been broken, so strive to make sure they don’t seem to be getting knocked round whereas in use or whereas being carried as spares, as this could improve the possibility of injury to cells.
“You also needs to not expose them to extremes of temperature.
“You ought to all the time be sure you unplug your charger as soon as it’s completed charging.
“Always follow manufacturers’ instructions when charging.”
LFB suggested individuals to not cost lithium-ion batteries whereas individuals are asleep, nor to go away them unattended.
Firefighters’ battery security ideas
- Always use the right charger – an official one from a good vendor
- Charging batteries whereas they’re nonetheless heat may make them extra prone to failure, so permit them to chill down earlier than trying to recharge them
- Batteries ought to all the time be charged on exhausting flat surfaces the place warmth can dissipate.
- Damaged batteries can pose a threat
- Always unplug the charger as soon as it has completed and don’t to go away it unattended or use it whereas individuals are asleep
- Ensure working smoke alarms are fitted in areas the place e-bikes or e-scooters are being charged and take a look at them recurrently
- Never block your escape route with something, together with bikes and scooters. Store them someplace away from a principal by way of route.