Three people were rushed to hospital after a fire started by an e-scooter battery tore through a property in south London.
The fire started at around 10.20am on Wednesday on Warwick Road in Sutton, with a first-floor flat being destroyed and part of the loft of a semi-detached house converted into flats being damaged.
Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Mitcham, Sutton, Croydon and Clapham fire stations attended the scene, getting the blaze under control within two hours.
A London Fire Brigade (LFB) spokesperson reported that residents first became aware of the fire after hearing a loud bang on the first floor.
With their main escape route blocked by the fire, they were forced to evacuate the building through a window.
Three people were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews, while firefighters used a 32-metre turntable ladder as a water tower to tackle flames from height.
The cause of the fire is believed to be the failure of a lithium battery used for an e-scooter, leading fire chiefs to deliver another stark reminder about e-bike and e-scooter safety.
Last year saw a record number of 206 e-bike or e-scooter related fires, with the force urging those who own these vehicles to follow their advice and keep themselves and those around them safe.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "This incident highlights why you should always ensure your escape route is clear and why we recommend to never store your 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.”
The force has stressed that people should only use batteries that have been purchased from a reputable seller, as items purchased online or second-hand often don’t meet UK safety standards and can be prone to going up in flames.
They also advise not overcharging, not leaving a vehicle charging unattended or whilst you are sleeping, and not converting a bike from a pushbike into an e-bike.
