E-scooter on charge 'caused house fire' in Northstowe

4th July 2023

A house fire in Northstowe is believed to have been caused by an e-scooter
that was on charge.

Police, fire and ambulance crews were called to the blaze, which happened
in Eagle Way, at around 4.45am on Friday June 30.

A police spokesperson said: “It is believed the fire was started from an
e-scooter on charge.

“Thankfully no one was seriously hurt.”

READ MORE: Video shows e-scooter explode into flames in kitchen

It comes after a separate incident in London where an e-scooter burst into
flames in the kitchen of a house.

At the time, London Fire Brigade deputy commissioner Dom Ellis said this
type of fire is becoming more common.

He said: “Once a battery starts to go into thermal runaway a fire develops
very quickly and can block escape routes.

“Thermal runaway can lead to the destruction of the battery and a ferocious
fire.

“We know prior to ignition, thermal runaway can lead to the ejection of a
range of gases.

“The white and grey coloured smoke is not harmless, and the speed at which
these incidents develop shouldn’t be ignored.”

Users of e-scooters and e-bikes are advised to allow their batteries to
cool down before recharging them, and to buy chargers and batteries from
reputable sellers.

LFB also urged people to fit smoke alarms in areas where charging happens
indoors.

<https://www.elystandard.co.uk/news/23631280.e-scooter-charge-caused-house-fire-northstowe/>

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