A person was forced to leap from a window after a “ferocious” fire erupted at a pedicab storage unit in London, believed to have been sparked by lithium batteries.
Six fire engines and about 40 firefighters were called to battle the inferno at a storage unit and workshop on Union Street in Southwark on Saturday (September 21).
Three individuals bolted from the premises before the arrival of the fire brigade, with one making a daring escape by jumping from a first-floor window to evade the flames.
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Another individual was whisked away to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews.
(Image: London Fire Brigade / SWNS)
The ground floor unit, which served as a hub for pedicab repair and storage, was completely gutted by the fire, with images revealing the extent of the charred bicycles.
London Fire Brigade has pinpointed the most probable cause as the catastrophic failure of multiple lithium batteries.
The brigade has issued a stark warning to the public against attempting to tackle lithium fires, describing them as “ferocious” and “extremely hard to extinguish.”
A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade remarked: “Personal light electric vehicles, such as pedicabs, along with e-bikes and e-scooters, can be a fun and sustainable way of getting around London.”
(Image: London Fire Brigade / SWNS)
“However, e-bikes and e-scooters in particular have become one of London’s fastest-growing fire risks which is why London Fire Brigade has been running its £ChargeSafe awareness campaign.”
“From previous investigations, we know many of the fires we’ve attended have involved second-hand vehicles or the bike has been modified using parts bought online.”
“It’s important to get a conversion carried out by a professional or a competent person.”
“It’s also important to make sure the conversion kits, batteries and chargers you’re purchasing for the bike is from a reputable seller.”
“At this time, there is not the same level of regulation of products for e-bikes and e-scooters sold via online marketplaces or auction sites when compared to high street shops, so we cannot be confident that products meet the correct safety standards.”
“Products that fail to meet safety standards are at higher risk of malfunctioning.”
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