### E-bike Battery Blaze Forces West London Residents to Flee Flats
A major fire broke out in a Hanwell apartment block last Friday evening after an e-bike battery caught fire, prompting urgent safety warnings from the London Fire Brigade. The inferno, which erupted around 6pm on July 19, is believed to have been caused by the battery being overcharged with an unsuitable charger, highlighting growing concerns about e-bike safety as these vehicles become increasingly popular across the capital.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and fear as thick smoke filled the corridors and residents rushed to escape. Families were seen running for their lives, with some acting heroically to ensure others could also reach safety. One resident, a mother of two living on the fourth floor, recounted the terrifying moments after an explosion echoed through her home, believing at first it might have been fireworks. When she realised the gravity of the situation, she and her husband gathered their children, aged six and eleven, and quickly descended four floors through smoke-laden stairwells.
“As soon as we heard the bang, my son ran to tell me the house was burning. We could barely see as we went down the stairs,” she recalled. “It was terrifying. We just kept shouting ‘fire, fire, everybody get out’ to warn our neighbours.”
Several residents praised the swift arrival and response of the London Fire Brigade (LFB), who brought the blaze under control within an hour, minimising what could have been an even more devastating outcome. The fire, which spread quickly due to the nature of the battery combustion, resulted in severe smoke damage to at least three flats, leaving families displaced and deeply shaken.
Artur Kieruzal, the journalist who filmed the dramatic incident, noted the confusion in those early moments. “It sounded exactly like fireworks,” he explained, “but the reality was far more serious. The battery simply exploded.” He said that several families have now lost access to their homes, as the smoke and fire damage rendered the properties uninhabitable.
After evacuating their own flat, the mother and her husband went further, re-entering the smouldering building to assist others. According to her account, her husband managed to rescue an unconscious man, while she alerted more residents to flee the growing danger.
Although, remarkably, no injuries were reported, the psychological toll has been substantial. Many in the block are reportedly struggling to sleep, with the lingering smell of smoke serving as a reminder of how close they came to tragedy.
The LFB, confirming the source of the fire as an overcharged e-bike battery, has now issued renewed guidance for all e-bike and e-scooter owners. A spokesperson emphasised the importance of using the correct charger and never leaving such devices charging unattended or overnight. “Storage and charging should never take place in hallways or escape routes,” the spokesperson cautioned. “If you’re considering converting a normal bicycle into an e-bike, always ensure the job is carried out by a qualified professional to avoid hazardous mistakes.”
The incidence adds to a growing series of e-bike-related fires in the UK, as ever more households turn to electric mobility for convenience and sustainability. Fire officials have expressed particular concern about the incidents stemming from overcharging and incompatible chargers—risks that can easily be avoided with proper care and awareness.
London Fire Brigade is urging residents to review their #ChargeSafe campaign resources available online, to ensure all rechargeable battery devices are used and maintained safely. As demand for e-bikes rises, so too does the urgency to educate owners about the proper precautions to protect both themselves and their communities.
For the Hanwell residents affected by the recent fire, the path to recovery will be a long one. In the meantime, local authorities are working to assist displaced families, as investigation teams continue to examine how the incident unfolded and what more can be done to prevent similar catastrophes in the future.