London e-bike fire rescue highlights risks of hallway storage and charging

by Featured NewsIncidents

Inside the ladder rescue at Norbury’s late-night e-bike fire

London Fire Brigade (LFB) said a new firefighter helped rescue a family during an e-bike fire in Norbury, south London, in late October.

The fire started in a ground floor communal hallway on London Road and left people trapped in second-floor flats, according to LFB.

Firefighters from Norbury Fire Station arrived two minutes after the first 999 call and prepared for a ladder rescue, LFB said.

Firefighter Zekel Johnson, on his fourth day after completing training, was among the second crew on scene.

Johnson climbed a 13.5 metre ladder and helped three children from a second-floor window, LFB confirmed.

Four adults were also assisted down by ladder, and two further adults escaped via a rear window, LFB said.

LFB said nine people were assessed on scene by London Ambulance Service for smoke inhalation and did not require hospital treatment.

First-hand accounts from the scene

Firefighter Zekel Johnson said: “When I arrived, a ladder had just been pitched by Norbury’s crew.

“It also allows us to coordinate better with neighbouring services.

“The officer in charge said someone needed to go up the ladder immediately and I did not hesitate.”

Naveen Narayanasankar, a resident, said: “I had just finished work and returned home and was eating dinner in the kitchen when suddenly we heard a blast from downstairs.

“I opened the door and there was a lot of smoke already.

“The people downstairs were telling us there was a fire.

“Everyone in the flat woke up but there was so much smoke, we couldn’t see or breathe properly.

“We called the fire brigade and went to the window for help where firefighters helped rescue us.”

Johnson later entered the property in breathing apparatus to assist with extinguishing, LFB said.

Cause identified and safety advice

Following an investigation, LFB said the most probable cause was the catastrophic failure of a lithium-ion battery pack for a manufactured e-bike.

LFB said the e-bike had been stored in the hallway and the battery pack had reportedly been charging shortly before the fire.

Assistant Commissioner for Fire Stations, Andy Pennick, said: “Because the e-bike was being stored in the hallway, it compromised the occupants’ ability to escape the building when the fire broke out.

“It is vital that e-bikes and e-scooters are stored appropriately, so that in the event of a fire, the risk of harm to those inside can be significantly reduced because their escape route is not blocked.”

LFB recommends storing e-bikes and e-scooters outside, or in a shed or outbuilding, and if stored indoors, in a room where a door can be shut.

LFB said lithium-ion battery fires can be ferocious and produce a flammable, explosive and toxic vapour cloud.

LFB warned against mismatched or counterfeit chargers or batteries and advised against leaving devices charging unattended.

LFB added that smoke alarms should be fitted in areas where devices are charged and that conversions should be carried out by a professional.

Training, performance and record incident numbers

Assistant Commissioner Pennick said: “The exceptional actions of our crews at this incident ensured swift rescues and limited fire spread.

“It is rare for a firefighter to attend an incident of this significance so quickly into their career and I’d like to commend Firefighter Johnson for his assured and calm response to rescue this family.

“Our rigorous and improved training programme ensures that newly-qualified firefighters are best-prepared to respond to real emergencies as soon as they start at their station.”

LFB reported that London recorded 181 e-bike and e-scooter fires by the end of October 2025.

LFB said this is already the highest total for a single year.

LFB said four people have died in these fires since 2023 and more than 100 people have been injured.

Incident timeline and response details

LFB said the Brigade was called at 23:48 on Tuesday 28 October to a mixed-use property on London Road, Norbury.

LFB said seven people were rescued from a second-floor window by a 13.5 metre ladder.

Two people escaped via a rear window, LFB added.

Part of the ground floor was damaged by fire and the incident was under control by 00:43, according to LFB.

Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from Norbury, West Norwood, Tooting and Croydon attended, LFB said.

Practical takeaways for operational leads and managers

The fire started in a communal hallway where an e-bike was stored and had reportedly been charging, which restricted escape routes for occupants.

LFB advises storing e-bikes and e-scooters outside or in an internal room that can be closed to contain a fire.

LFB instructs users to employ the correct, compatible charger and to avoid mismatched or counterfeit power components.

LFB recommends not charging unattended and unplugging chargers when the cycle is complete.

LFB says lithium-ion battery failures can produce an explosive and toxic vapour cloud, and crews reported unusually intense heat at this incident.

LFB advises installing smoke alarms in charging areas and checking for battery or charger faults such as heat or deformation.

London has recorded 181 e-bike and e-scooter fires by the end of October 2025, with four fatalities since 2023 and more than 100 injuries, according to LFB.

FDNY warns of fatal e-bike battery risk following Queens fire

by Featured NewsSafety

FDNY renews e-bike safety warning after Queens death

The FDNY has reported that a fire caused by an e-bike battery explosion in Queens has led to the first lithium-ion battery-related fatality in New York City in 2025.

According to the Department, the incident occurred on 4 July inside a pizza restaurant in Queens.

A 76-year-old woman was using the restroom at the time of the explosion.

The battery, located outside the restroom, caught fire, preventing her escape.

She was taken to hospital but later died.

FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker said: “These e-mobility devices that the FDNY has been talking about for years can be extremely dangerous, and we had someone die in this fire.”

Commissioner highlights danger of indoor storage and charging

The FDNY confirmed this was the first lithium-ion battery fatality in the city this year.

Commissioner Tucker said: “It’s the first death this year that we can attribute to a lithium-ion battery fire, and we are working so hard every day in the FDNY to message that e-mobility devices do not belong inside.”

He explained that the device was stored directly outside the restroom door, obstructing the victim’s egress.

Tucker added: “She was trapped. She could not get out of the bathroom because the device was stored directly outside the bathroom.”

He continued: “It’s a tremendous tragedy and the problem persists here.”

The Commissioner called on the public to take action to reduce the risk of these incidents.

Fire department urges use of certified batteries

Commissioner Tucker said: “You cannot charge them inside, and you must buy certified UL batteries.”

He added: “These fires are treacherous. They move very quickly. They are very hot.”

The FDNY advised the public to avoid charging or storing e-bikes and other micromobility devices indoors.

Instead, the Department recommends storing such devices outdoors whenever possible.

Tucker said: “Do not store these things between you and your primary means of egress in your apartment or in your home or in your business.”

He stated that the Department would continue to issue safety reminders.

PSA campaign supported by FDNY Foundation

The latest Public Service Announcement forms part of the FDNY’s ongoing campaign to reduce battery-related incidents.

According to the Department, the PSA programme receives partial funding support from the FDNY Foundation.

The Foundation is the official nonprofit organisation affiliated with the Department.

Commissioner Tucker said: “We want people to keep these things outside. We want them to charge outside.”

He added: “Make sure that they are UL listed.”

The PSA has been published through the FDNYSmart.org platform.

Department reflects on 2024 fatalities

FDNY confirmed that six people died due to lithium-ion battery fires in New York in 2024.

Commissioner Tucker said: “We had six deaths last year and we now have our first this year.”

He added: “One is too many. And I will not stop talking about safety around lithium-ion batteries and e-mobility devices until the number is zero.”

The Department continues to stress the dangers posed by uncertified and improperly stored batteries.

Further safety information is available via the FDNY’s official safety site.

FDNY warns of fatal e-bike battery risk following Queens fire: Summary

FDNY has confirmed that a fatal fire occurred in Queens on 4 July 2025.

A 76-year-old woman died after an e-bike battery exploded outside a restroom in a pizza restaurant.

She was unable to escape and died later in hospital.

The FDNY identified the battery as the fire’s cause.

This is the first lithium-ion battery-related fatality in New York City in 2025.

FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker made a public statement on 8 July 2025.

Tucker warned against charging or storing e-bikes indoors.

He urged residents to buy only UL-certified devices.

He also said the FDNY would continue to promote safety messages.

The Department’s PSA campaign is supported by the FDNY Foundation.

Six people died from lithium-ion battery fires in 2024.

Tucker said one death is too many.

He said he will continue to push safety information until there are no fatalities.

Further safety guidance is available at FDNYSmart.org.

Cycle safety starts with certified parts 

by Breaking NewsSafety

Adrian Simmonds, Practice Leader at QBE, outlines why lithium-ion battery incidents demand regulatory reform, education and risk management strategies

What’s behind the recent increase in e-bike fires in the UK? 

The recent increase in e-bike fires is being caused by the rapidly rising popularity of electric transportation, from bikes to scooters and others, mostly powered by lithium-ion batteries. We understand that most purpose-built and certified manufactured e-bikes and e-scooters are safe when used properly, but we’re seeing a significant number of incidents with uncertified products. These can be converted bikes where an uncertified battery is attached, or simply where improper charging devices are used.  

QBE research showed that in 2023 alone, UK fire services recorded 270 e-bike fires, up 70% from the previous year.

Adrian Simmonds

Many of these fires were caused by batteries that were improperly manufactured or altered in ways that weren’t originally intended that compromised their safety.  

Increased online availability of unsafe counterfeit components including e-bike conversion kits and batteries are increasing the risk of e-bike fires. E-bay recently changed its policy so that only certified manufactured e-bikes can be sold on its ecommerce platform.

There is also a lack of awareness about safe charging protocols, proper storage of batteries and importantly, maintenance and disposal. We are at a crucial tipping point where safety regulation, better education an online sellers accountability is playing catch up with demand for these devices.  

Why do lithium-ion battery fires present more challenges than other types of fires? 

Once thermal runaway begins, it cannot be reversed. These fires ignite in a unique way and are different to ordinary combustion fires, producing extremely high heat, flammable vapours, and smoke that is extremely toxic. 

They can be sudden, incredibly ferocious and are prone to reigniting even after being extinguished, making them harder to manage than traditional fires. Firefighters often require specialist training and equipment to safely handle these incidents. For building occupants and emergency responders, the risks of injury and property damage are significantly heightened. This is why understanding how these fires behave is such a critical part of risk management. 

What role do conversion kits and uncertified chargers play in raising the risk? 

Conversion kits and uncertified e-bike batteries and chargers can pose a serious fire risk through a process known as thermal runaway as explained above. These kits often involve retrofitting regular bikes with components that weren’t designed to work together, and the batteries used frequently lack essential safety certifications. For example, there might be no overcharge protection, no thermal cut-offs, and no knowledge of how the parts will behave when in use over time.

This is why it’s important to regulate online marketplaces where unsafe batteries and conversion kits can be purchased more cheaply than safer counterparts.  

Adrian Simmonds

TfL has highlighted this issue in their decision to ban non-foldable e-bikes from the network, stating that converted cycles pose a greater fire risk than purpose-built e-bikes, but it’s difficult to tell them apart visually. From a QBE perspective, these types of conversions represent a significant and unnecessary risk. We advise clients to stick with certified products from reputable retailers and avoid mixing or modifying parts.  

From a fire safety perspective, what do consumers need to know about storing and charging e-bikes? 

We advise consumers to only buy electric transport devices from reputable retailers that provide the appropriate certifications and is properly regulated. It’s essential to only use the battery charger that comes with the device because incompatible chargers can lead to overcharging or overheating, which is where the real danger lies. 

If you are charging a lithium-ion battery at home, do not do so in hallways, corridors, or entrance ways to flats, homes or offices, as these are potential escape routes in the case of fire.

Adrian Simmonds

If you must charge indoors, choose a room without soft furnishings, like a kitchen or ideally a locked garage or shed away from any combustibles like gas cylinders or cardboard boxes. Make sure there’s a working smoke detector or at least a heat detector. Do not leave devices charging when you’re asleep, and always unplug once fully charged. If a battery has been impacted, for example if the devices it is in has been dropped, then there’s a chance the battery has been damaged and the fire risk goes up, so it should be checked out or replaced. 

What steps can building owners or businesses take to reduce these risks? 

Businesses that make, use or sell lithium-ion devices need to be aware of what that technology entails and the associated fire hazards. Charging should preferably be done in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight or a heat source. Buildings should have a working smoke detector or at least a heat detector installed in these areas. Plug chargers into a power supply that has circuit breaker protection. Businesses should also educate occupants or staff on safe charging practices and only use the battery charger that comes with the device.  

What sort of regulatory changes would you like to see introduced? 

We support the Department for Business and Trade’s proposed Product Regulation and Metrology Bill and advocate for third-party safety certification to address these pressing safety concerns. One of the most important steps is ensuring products meet essential safety certifications such as the CE mark. 

The lithium-ion batteries used in uncertified rogue e-bikes and e-scooters frequently lack essential safety certifications, leaving consumers unaware of potential fire hazards.

At QBE, we’ve also called for greater oversight of unregulated imports and unsafe online sales, particularly when it comes to e-bike conversion kits and replacement chargers.  

Adrian Simmonds

The rapid adoption of lithium-ion batteries has outpaced existing regulatory frameworks, and we believe now is the time for government, manufacturers, retailers and insurers to align and ensure that regulation provides clarity, traceability, and accountability across the supply chain.  

How important is consumer education in preventing future incidents? 

Consumer education is crucial; many people aren’t aware that e-bike fires are four times more likely to be caused by cheap unregulated imports of bikes and batteries. This is why we support awareness campaigns like the Department for Business and Trade’s “Buy Safe, Be Safe” initiative, which advises consumers to avoid rogue online sellers and prioritise safe purchases. 

Shoppers should check for a CE mark, signifying a product complies with regulated standards and is less likely to pose risks such as overheating or electrical malfunctions. It’s also important to educate on charging, storage and disposal. For example, don’t charge your device in escape routes, only use manufacturer-provided chargers, never leave devices charging unattended or overnight and never dispose of lithium-ion batteries in general household waste, take them to your local recycling centre and place them in their dedicated rechargeable battery bins. 

The sharp increase in fires linked to uncertified e-bikes and e-scooters is deeply concerning, and without proper awareness, these risks will only rise.  

This was originally published in the June 2025 Edition of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE copy, click here.