A fierce fire ripped through a block of flats on Cornwall Avenue, Bethnal Green, late Tuesday night, April 9. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) believes the blaze was sparked by a lithium-ion battery from an e-bike or e-scooter.
The inferno broke out just before 11:40pm, triggering a massive emergency response. Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters attended the scene to tackle the fire and assist residents.
Emergency crews praised the swift response and reaffirmed the borough’s commitment to fire safety through the #ChargeSafe campaign. A spokesperson said, “We’ve halved the number of e-bike battery-related fires in the borough, but more needs to be done. If you use one, follow the guidance to protect yourself and others.”
The emergency timeline was as follows:
- Call received: 11:38pm
- 36 emergency calls handled by Brigade Control
- Fire under control: 1:05am
- Fire survival advice given to three residents while awaiting rescue
In total, 11 people were injured in the blaze, and approximately 50 residents were evacuated from the building for their safety. Residents affected by the fire continue to receive support from emergency teams and Tower Hamlets Council.
For vital fire safety tips on e-bikes and e-scooters, visit the London Fire Brigade’s #ChargeSafe campaign page.
Originally published by UKNIP.
