After a flat fire on Arthur Street in Erith on Friday, firefighters are issuing another e-bike safety warning (January 27).

Fire damaged half of a flat on the third floor of a seven-story apartment building. Before firefighters arrived, a woman and three children fled the flat. London Ambulance Service crews treated them for smoke inhalation and transported them to the hospital.

The fire is thought to have been started by a faulty e-bike lithium battery.

It’s extremely concerning that we are continuing to see an increase in incidents involving e-bikes and e-scooters,” said a spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade.

“When these batteries and chargers fail, they do so with ferocity and because the fires develop so rapidly the situation can quickly become incredibly serious.

“Lithium-ion batteries are susceptible to failure if incorrect chargers are used and there is a significant risk posed by e-scooters which have been converted.

“We are predominantly seeing fires in ones which have been purchased from online marketplaces and batteries which have been sourced on the internet, which may not meet the correct safety standards.

Our advice is to try and store and charge these items in a safe location if possible, such as in a shed or garage, and if they have to be stored inside, make sure there is smoke detection fitted and your means of escape is not obstructed.

“However we know this won’t be possible for everyone, so if you are charging them indoors, please follow our advice on safe charging and ensure everyone in your home knows what to do in the event of a fire.

“We would also advise people not to charge them while they are sleeping, so that if an issue arises, they can respond quickly.”

The Fire Department was called at 10.51 p.m., and the fire was out by 12.02 a.m. Four fire engines and approximately 25 firefighters from Erith, Bexley, and Plumstead fire stations responded.