A fire broke out at a workshop and storage unit on Union Street in Southwark, forcing one person to jump from the first floor of the building to safety, while another was taken to the hospital. Six fire engines and 40 firefighters from the London Fire Brigade (LFB) responded to the blaze, which started at 4.55pm on Saturday.
The fire destroyed the ground floor of the building, and heat and smoke caused significant damage to the first floor. Three people managed to escape the building before firefighters arrived, with one person jumping from the first floor. The London Ambulance Service transported another individual to the hospital.
The LFB’s Control Officers received 21 emergency calls regarding the fire, and crews from Dowgate, Dockhead, Whitechapel, and nearby stations were dispatched. The blaze was brought under control by 5.48pm.
The workshop’s ground floor was used for repairing and storing pedicabs. Fire investigators believe the fire was caused by the failure of multiple lithium batteries, which can lead to intense fires or explosions if damaged or overheated.
The London Fire Brigade has issued a warning to the public about the dangers of lithium battery fires. A spokesperson said: “Lithium battery fires are extremely dangerous and difficult to control, and people should move away from such fires as quickly as possible rather than attempting to extinguish them.
The LFB spokesperson also highlighted the growing fire risks posed by personal light electric vehicles like e-bikes, e-scooters, and pedicabs. E-bikes and e-scooters have become one of London’s fastest-growing fire risks, which is why the London Fire Brigade has been running its #ChargeSafe awareness campaign,” the spokesperson explained.
The LFB cautioned against using second-hand or modified e-vehicles and urged consumers to only purchase conversion kits, batteries, and chargers from reputable sellers. They also stressed that products sold via online marketplaces may not meet the same safety standards as those available in high street shops, putting them at higher risk of malfunction.
The fire serves as a reminder of the importance of safety when using and charging electric vehicles, especially those powered by lithium batteries.
