Four people were forced to escape through windows after a fire broke out in their flat
06:58, 10 Jun 2026Updated 07:07, 10 Jun 2026
A woman was forced to jump out of the window after two e-bikes caught fire, which has prompted the fire brigade to issue fresh warnings.
The London Fire Brigade were called to Brondesbury Park in Brent on June 10, just before 5am, to a fire at a detached house that had been converted into flats. One woman evacuated the flat by jumping out of a first-floor window at the front of the property.
A further three people self-evacuated by climbing onto a down onto a flat roof on the first floor at the rear of the property.
The fire was accidental and believed to have been caused by a lithium battery failure in an e-bike, which was on charge at the time of the fire. The bikes were also blocking the doors to their flat, meaning their only means of escape was the windows.
The London Fire Brigade has stated that it has attended a fire ‘involving an e-bike or e-scooter on average every other day’, leading to them needing to issue fresh warnings and advice.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “The fire blocked the residents’ main escape route, preventing them from exiting the flat. As a result, they were forced to evacuate the building through bedroom windows.
“This incident highlights why you should always ensure your escape route is clear and why we recommend never storing an e-bike or e-scooter on your means of escape, such as a hallway or by your front door. We’ve seen the devastating consequences of what can happen when an exit is blocked by an e-scooter fire. Instead, keep it in a room where you can shut a door, contain the fire and call 999.
“This incident also highlights the importance of working smoke alarms and heat detection. Smoke alarms give the earliest possible warning when a fire starts, and we would urge everyone to make sure they have one fitted in every room where a fire can start, except kitchens or bathrooms, where heat alarms are more appropriate.
“In London, we have been attending a fire, on average every other day involving an e-bike or e-scooter. Last year, we saw a record number of fires [206] and this is why we urge those who own one of these vehicles, or are thinking about purchasing one, to take a look at our #ChargeSafe advice to help keep themselves and those around them safe.”
E-bike or e-scooter top safety tips
- Never block your escape route with anything, including e-bikes and e-scooters. Store them somewhere away from a main thoroughfare. Our advice is to store these items in a safe external location if possible, such as a garage or a shed.
- Always use the correct charger; if you don’t, the risk of fire increases. Buy an official one from a reputable seller.
- Do not attempt to modify or tamper with your battery. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Converting pedal bikes into e-bikes using DIY kits bought online can be very dangerous. They pose a higher fire risk. Get a professional or competent person to carry out the conversion, and make sure to buy a battery from a reputable seller, and that it is not second-hand.
- Check your battery and charger meets UK safety standards. We have particular concern where batteries have been purchased from online marketplaces and when they’ve been sourced on the internet, which may not meet the correct safety standards.
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