Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) has issued an urgent warning around the safe use and storage of lithium-ion batteries, following a flat fire in St Helens this week where a family of three narrowly avoided serious injuries.

After receiving a 999 call on Wednesday at 9.43am, three MFRS fire engines were on scene within minutes. On arrival, firefighters found one ground floor flat well alight. One team of firefighters wearing breathing apparatus (BA) began to search and evacuate flats, while another team fought the fire, which was extinguished just after 10am.

Prior to Fire Service arrival, a pregnant female occupant and a four-year-old child were assisted out of the property by a male occupant. All three family members were checked over by North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), with the male occupant then being taken to hospital with severe smoke inhalation.

An investigation found that the cause of the fire was lithium-ion battery packs from an e-bike which had failed causing an intense and rapidly developing fire.  

MFRS Head of Prevention, Area Manager Mark Thomas said: “Firstly, we recognise the actions of the man who has received injuries whilst looking to protect his family and remove them from the property which was on fire. I’d also like to acknowledge the actions of firefighters who made a rapid intervention in breathing apparatus before swiftly extinguishing the fire with hose reel jets. After the incident, the crews stayed to conduct Home Fire Safety Checks in the block of flats, offering advice to neighbouring properties.”

During the investigation, several issues were noted, any or all of which may have been contributing factors to the incident:

• The e-bike which caused the fire was modified with a DIY. Because of that, none of the batteries displayed CE markings. This suggests that the kit and batteries may have been purchased from a less reliable source
• The e-bike was located in the hallway, alongside a freezer and directly outside the child’s bedroom. This compromised the escape route in this incident and subsequently the hallway was extensively damaged by fire.
• The e-bike batteries were situated against a radiator operating at full temperature, potentially giving rise to ignition of the battery.  

AM Thomas added: “Due to the circumstances, had this fire occurred while the family were sleeping, I have no doubt that the potential was there for a much more serious incident with significant injuries or worse. If not used or stored properly, e-bikes and e-scooters can pose a significant fire risk in your home. If you have an e-bike or e-scooter, please follow our home fire safety advice to keep you and your loved ones as safe as possible while at home.” 

Home fire safety advice for e-bikes, e-scooters and lithium-ion batteries:

• Always use manufacturer-recommended batteries and chargers as incompatible chargers and batteries increase the risk of fire
• Never block your escape route with anything, including e-bikes and e-scooters.
• Never charge e-bikes and e-scooters overnight, instead do this during the day and outside of the home when possible.
• Speak to your local bike shop for expert advice and guidance, instead of converting a bike into an e-bike yourself
• Always check your battery and charger meets UK safety standards
• Let the battery cool before charging and always unplug your charger once it’s finished charging. Follow manufacturers’ instructions when charging and do not leave it unattended or charging while people are sleeping
• Ensure you have one working smoke alarm on every level of your home and check these are working every week
• In the event of a fire in your home, get out, stay out and call 999

Signs a lithium-ion battery may be failing (the five Ss):

• Swell - A battery swelling or bulging out of shape is a common sign of it failing
• Sound - failing lithium batteries may also make hissing or cracking sounds
• Smell - A strong or unusual smell coming from the battery may mean the battery is failing
• Stopping – If your battery stops charging, doesn’t fully charge or takes too long to charge, this can also be a sign
• Smoke – If your battery, bike or scooter is smoking, this means a fire has already started. Get out, stay out, call 999

For fire safety advice, or if you do not have working smoke alarms in your property, call 0800 731 5958. For more information or home fire safety advice, visit Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service’s Facebook (@MerseyFire), X (@MerseyFire), Instagram (@Mersey_Fire) and YouTube (@MerseyFire) or merseyfire.gov.uk/safety-advice/home-fire-safety/electric-bikes-and-scooters/