Eight Tyne and Wear housefires caused by e-scooters in two years

One fire, in July of last year, left the victim "lucky to be alive" after his home went up in flames. 

This comes off the back of national media attention on e-bikes and e-scooters for their fire-starting propensity.

TWFRS advised that ill-maintained lithium-ion batteries can explode, and cause huge fires, putting well-meaning residents at risk.

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This image shows extensive damage in a bedroom after a lithium ion battery started a fire. (Image: TWFRS)

In an incident in June 2022, the resident of a ground-floor terraced flat woke up in the early hours to find smoke billowing through his home and frantically called for help.

His e-bike ignited after being left on charge in the living room overnight - and the bike's owner is "lucky to be alive" after waking up by chance.

He explained to firefighters that he was deaf and had not heard the smoke alarms activating – instead waking by the smell of smoke coming into his room.

Another fire started when two charging e-scooters caught fire in a Farringdon home.

Read more: Deliberate fire started at Dormanstown Primary School in Redcar

This lithium ion battery exploded whilst in a garden. (Image: TWFRS)

The ensuing house fire severely damaged the property, though thankfully no one was injured in the blaze. 

A spokesperson said: "Most [e-bike/e-scooter] products are fitted with lithium-ion batteries, and if not cared for properly they can lead to huge fires.

"Here in Tyne and Wear we have had eight house fires linked to these products in the past two years - whereas we had zero reported in the two years prior.

"Make sure you don't leave these items charging unattended and never plug them into extension cables as they will overheat quickly.

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"We strongly discourage you from charging electrical items when you can’t supervise them.

"Make sure you only ever charge any electrical items with the approved battery charger that comes with it as others might not have been tested to handle the power output and do not overload your sockets.

"And remember, if you hear noises from any electrical item or it starts to smoke, make sure you get everyone out of the house and call 999."