Terrifying moment front windows 'blown out' in house fire started by e-bike battery

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

This is the terrifying moment a window was blown out after a ‘modified’ e-bike battery set fire to a house in Failsworth. The footage, captured by CCTV at a neighbouring home, shows the dangers of charging e-bikes that have not been properly cared for, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), says.

The incident took place on November 20 last year, and hospitalised two people. The blaze began when a ‘modified electric bike battery’ caught fire.

Just before 6am on that Sunday, three fire engines from Hollins, Manchester Central, and Philips Park were scrambled to the living room of the terraced house, with firefighters needing two breathing apparatus and one hose reel to extinguish it. READ MORE: 'Heartbreak' after gay adult store is attacked and has windows smashed in Now, fire chiefs are pleading with Greater Manchester residents to be careful when buying, storing and charging electric bikes. “This incident shows the devastating effects that a fire involving an electric bike battery can have,” said GMFRS’s Head of Prevention Area Manager, Billy Fenwick. “Batteries can be a fire risk if they’re over-charged, short circuited, or damaged, so it’s important to protect them against being damaged and to charge them safely.

By following our advice on the storage and charging of electric bikes and scooters, Greater Manchester residents can help to keep themselves safe from fire.” The warning comes following a similar incident in August last year where a fire – that was most likely caused by an electric bike being charged – caused significant damage to a property in Manchester.