Video footage shows moment e-bike bursts into flames on busy high street

29 February 2024 , 23:07

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Video footage shows moment e-bike bursts into flames on busy high street

Fire officials have warned that converted e-bikes are capable of producing "jets of flame hot enough to melt metal" after a blaze in West London.

Shocking footage shared by Instagram user Charlie Tierney shows one of the bikes being consumed by an inferno in Shepherds Bush at 6.18pm on Wednesday night. Hammersmith Fire Station sent two engines to the scene, where they put out the blaze. Thankfully, no one was injured, according to reports.

In the aftermath of the incident, the London Fire Brigade took the opportunity to warn how dangerous such fires can be. A spokesperson said: 'Videos of this incident show explosions coming from the bike, producing jets of flame that are hot enough to melt through metal. You can also see what looks like white smoke but is actually an extremely toxic vapour cloud that should never be inhaled."

The footage shows the bike laying in a cycle lane by the side of a major west London road, with a thick plume of acrid smoke snaking through the cars on the street. Several loud explosions are then heard at the back of the bike. With each bang, sparks fly into the air as a crowd gathers on all sides of the road.

Fire service officials said that e-bike fires can burn through metal (TWITTER)

The spokesperson added: "Lithium battery fires are ferocious and people should stay well away from them for their own safety. E-bikes and e-scooters can be a fun and sustainable way of getting around London but the stark reality is that some of these vehicles are proving to be incredibly dangerous if they are not used safely.

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"We encourage people to follow our top tips on how to store and charge their e-bikes and e-scooters safely. Whilst the cause of this fire remains under investigation, we know the bike involved had been converted into an e-bike from a normal bike.

"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 this 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 standard."

Ryan Fahey