E-bike battery explosion causes house fire in Leicester

A fire incident occurred in Leicester on a Saturday night, where a resident had to be rescued from a burning home. The blaze is believed to have been ignited by an overheated lithium battery from an e-bike that was charging at the time. Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service responded promptly, managing to save the individual trapped on the first floor. Images shared by the fire service depicted the extensive damage caused by the fire, including the charred remains of the e-bike and the staircase. The fire service highlighted the dangers associated with lithium-ion batteries, noting that such fires can spread rapidly and are often linked to the use of incompatible chargers, modifications to e-bikes, or faulty products purchased online. They emphasized the importance of using the correct charger, never leaving the device unattended, and allowing the battery to cool before charging. This incident is part of a worrying trend, as earlier in the month, another individual suffered severe burns from an e-bike fire in North London. The London Fire Brigade reported that this was the 137th e-bike-related fire in the capital for the year, underscoring the growing concern over the safety of lithium batteries. Firefighters have urged the public to avoid attempting to extinguish lithium battery fires themselves due to their ferocity and the toxic vapors produced. They recommend calling emergency services immediately in such situations to ensure safety.