Woman jumps from window of burning Brent flat after e-bike fire blocks escape route

Firefighters were called to a fire at a detached house that had been converted into flats in Brondesbury Park, Brent

A woman was left with no choice but to leap from a window after two e-bikes burst into flames, blocking her escape route.

The London Fire Brigade responded to a callout in Brondesbury Park, Brent, on 10 June, shortly before 5am, following reports of a blaze at a converted detached house containing flats. One woman escaped by jumping from a first-floor window at the front of the building.

Three other residents managed to get out by climbing onto a flat roof at the rear of the property on the first floor. The blaze was determined to be accidental and is thought to have been sparked by a lithium battery failure in an e-bike that was charging when the fire broke out. The bikes had also obstructed the doors to their flat, leaving windows as their sole escape route.

The London Fire Brigade has revealed it has responded to a fire ‘involving an e-bike or e-scooter on average every other day’, necessitating fresh warnings and guidance, reports MyLondon.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson stated: “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.

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“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.”