A man was forced to jump from a first-floor window to escape a fire sparked by a charging e-scooter at a house converted into flats in Acton.
The blaze broke out at the property on Noel Road on Monday afternoon and is believed to have been accidental, caused by the failure of an e-scooter battery that was plugged in at the time. The fire took hold in the entrance to the flat, blocking the main escape route.
Five people managed to get out of the building before the London Fire Brigade arrived, and one man was taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews as a precaution.
Part of the first floor was damaged by fire, with crews from Acton, Park Royal, Ealing and Chiswick stations called to the scene. The Brigade was first alerted at 1.33pm and brought the fire under control by 2.33pm.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "If you can, store an e-bike or e-scooter outdoors in an external location such as a garage or shed. However, we understand that this is not possible for everyone. If you keep an e-bike or e-scooter indoors make sure it is never being stored or charged on an escape route, such as a hallway, by the front door or on or under a staircase. Instead, have it in a room away from the door, where in the event of a fire, you can shut the door and get everyone to safety."
E-bikes and e-scooters are one of London’s fastest-growing fire risks, with the Brigade responding to an incident involving one of the devices, on average, every two days since the start of 2023.
The spokesperson added: "E-bikes and e-scooters are a green and sustainable way to travel around our city. However, 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 encourage anyone who owns an e-bike or e-scooter, or is thinking about purchasing one, to take a look at all of our #ChargeSafe advice on our website to help keep themselves and those around them safer from these types of fires."
