E-bike battery responsible for fire in Coventry tower block

West Midlands Fire Service says it believes a serious fire in a block of flats in Coventry at the weekend was started by the battery of an e-bike.

Around 50 firefighters put out a severe flat fire on the 11th floor of a high rise building.

Staffordshire and West Midlands Fire Control started to receive multiple 999 calls at 4.12pm on Saturday 30 September, reporting a fire in the 16-storey Samuel Vale House on St Nicholas Street, in Radford.

Several fire engines, 4x4 brigade response vehicles and a hydraulic aerial platform responded, with the first crew arriving within five minutes.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus successfully put out the fire, which was confirmed to be out by 5.40pm.

The fire affected all of the flat in which it broke out, with smoke spreading to some flats above.

A number of people were evacuated from their flats, but several were able to stay in their homes. Those evacuated were looked after in a nearby church.

The fire service says it believes the e-bike battery being left on charge was responsible for the outbreak.

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