A neighbour’s doorbell camera shows the horrific moment an e-bike battery exploded causing a fire to tear through a Catford home just days before Christmas.
The blaze, which occurred on Saturday, December 14 on Renshaw Close, was sparked by the explosion of a battery on a charging second-hand e-bike.
Footage captured by a neighbour’s doorbell camera showed the speed and ferocity of the fire as it consumed the property.
Several loud bangs and smaller explosions could be heard.
At the time of the explosion, three people were inside the house.
One managed to escape unharmed through the front door, but the other two, who were in the loft, faced a terrifying ordeal.
As flames and toxic smoke blocked their exit, they were forced to climb out through a skylight window and onto the pitched roof.
The blaze, which occurred on Saturday, December 14 on Renshaw Close, was sparked by the explosion of a battery on a charging second-hand e-bike (Image: Amy Clarke)
One of the occupants fell from the roof and was discovered by firefighters in the garden.
He suffered serious injuries, although these are not believed to be life-changing.
The remaining occupant, a woman, was still stranded on the roof when firefighters arrived.
A nine-metre ladder was swiftly deployed, and a firefighter climbed to bring her to safety.
During the rescue, the woman slipped, but quick-thinking actions by the firefighter prevented her from falling to the ground.
She was later treated for smoke inhalation.
The blaze, which occurred on Saturday, December 14 on Renshaw Close, was sparked by the explosion of a battery on a charging second-hand e-bike (Image: Amy Clarke)
This incident highlights the potentially catastrophic consequences of mishandling e-bike batteries, especially as their popularity continues to rise.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Field said: “This was a devastating fire that has destroyed most of a family home.
“It’s fortunate that no lives have been lost, given how quickly the blaze took hold, and the fact that two people ended up being trapped by the fire.
“I’d like to commend the actions of the firefighter who’s quick-thinking stopped the woman falling off the roof to the ground.
“We’ve seen around 160 e-bike and e-scooter fires in London this year and this incident highlights the dangers e-bikes and e-scooters can pose.
“We know this bike had been converted from a normal pedal cycle by having a lithium-ion battery pack fitted to it and was on charge at the time of the fire.
“The bike had been purchased second-hand from an online marketplace and we also know that the charger being used was generic and not specific to the battery pack.
“E-bikes are one of London’s fastest-growing fire risks, with a fire on average once every other day.
“The stark reality is that some of these vehicles are proving to be incredibly dangerous and are at greater risk of malfunctioning, particularly if they’ve been modified, fitted or converted with second-hand products or if the batteries are used with the incorrect chargers.
“We always recommend purchasing items from a reputable high-street seller where, at this time, a product is more likely to meet safety standards.
“If you’re planning on buying an e-bike or e-scooter for yourself or a loved one for Christmas and you see an offer online that seems too good to be true, it probably is.”
If you can, please keep your e-bike or e-scooter outdoors or in a shed or garage. If you must keep it indoors, do not charge or store it on an escape route.
“Instead, place it in a room where you can shut a door in the event of a fire and where there are working smoke alarms fitted.
“When you’re charging your e-bike or e-scooter, make sure you are using the correct charger, do not overcharge and never charge unattended, such as when you’re sleeping.”