Essex Fire and Rescue issue firm warning following e-bike fire
A man escaped injury after the e-bike he was riding caught fire
Last updated 22nd Jun 2024
Essex Fire and Rescue Service have appealed for safety when using e-bikes after a man narrowly escaped injury as his e-bike caught fire and exploded.
The man was riding his electric device along Woden Avenue in Stanway in the west of Colchester on Friday (June 21st), when he said smoke began to bellow from the e-bike.
He went on to pull over off the road and got off the bike before it caught fire, eventually exploding across the road.
Emergency services were called to the scene to deal with the resulting fire; however, following this, one of the batteries for the bike had exploded, sending the bike across the road by about 20 metres.
Water was eventually used to put out the fire by crews from the service - though this is not always possible with lithium ion batteries.
The man was luckily able to avoid being injured, but the fire and rescue service have said that those who own e-bikes need to be much more careful.
Sunil Galvin, Crew Manager at Colchester Fire Station said in a statement following the incident: "Thankfully the man involved in this incident was unharmed.
"It's concerning to think these conversion kits, where people can turn their push bikes into electric bikes, are being sold on online marketplaces without any regulation."
He added: "It's really important that anything electrical is made by a reputable retailer and designed to be used with that product."
According to figures from the London Fire Brigade, some 40% of fires caused by e-bikes were caused by conversion kits as the tech is modified to improve seed and agility.
Galvin went on to say: "We also see risky behaviour when it comes to charging e-bikes and e-scooters.
"Make sure you only charge these items when you're awake and at home, and keep them out of the way of escape routes. That way, if they do catch fire you'll be able to get out, stay out and call 999."