Electric bike could be cause of fire in family home

Thursday 12 December 2024

A fire that started in a kitchen, involving an electric bike, sparked an emergency response this week.

Fortunately, working smoke detectors alerted the family, allowing them to escape from their home unharmed.

Whilst the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, Guernsey Fire and Rescue have linked it with the E-bike. 

Following the fire, Guernsey Fire & Rescue Service have issued a reminder about the safe use of E-bikes.

The service has taken the time to emphasise that while the bikes offer environmental benefits, the lithium-ion batteries they run on can pose fire risks if mishandled or are of poor quality.

On a social media post the service said that “many fires are caused by incompatible parts or by purchasing defective/poorly manufactured parts, particularly if they are sold by rogue online sellers.”

They go on to say that you should purchase E-bikes and parts from reputable sellers, use the correct charger for your battery, unplug the charger when fully charged and store it in a cool place, and to stop using the charger or battery immediately if it exhibits signs of malfunction, such as overheating, deformation, unusual noises, or smoke.

Guernsey Fire and Rescue also say that you should avoid leaving charging devices unattended, especially while sleeping. You shouldn’t charge or store batteries near escape routes, cover chargers or batteries, or modify or tamper with batteries.