Fire safety campaign launched following e-bike fire at tower block

Salford housing association Salix Homes has launched a new fire safety campaign following a fire at a tower block sparked by an e-bike battery.

Salix Homes is urging its tenants to be aware of the potential dangers posed by the lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters.

It comes after a fire at Mulberry Court, Pendleton, last December, which gutted a tenth floor flat at the tower block, though thankfully no-one was injured.

Stewart Kerr, Building Safety Manager at Salix Homes, said: “We’ve carried out extensive fire safety improvements to all our tower blocks in Salford, and fortunately the fire was contained to the flat where it originated, but the ferocity with which the fire took hold is quite shocking.

“The fire service has seen a rise in e-bike related fires and we are seeing more of our tenants owning and using e-bikes and e-scooters, so we want to ensure they’re taking the necessary steps to ensure they’re not putting peoples’ lives or homes at risk.”

Most e-bikes and e-scooters bought from reputable manufacturers meet the stringent safety regulations, but many of the safety issues are arising from converter kits bought online, which are lithium-ion battery packs designed to convert a standard bike to an e-bike.

Salix Homes has now issued e-bike safety advice, which includes:

• Never charge your electric bikes or scooters while you’re sleeping or not at home

• Unplug your charger once it’s finished charging

• Never block your escape route with your e-bike or e-scooter

• Never tamper with the battery and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions

• Ensure your battery and charger meets UK safety standards and always use the correct charger

• Never cover your charger as this could lead to it overheating or setting on fire

• Be wary of DIY kits bought on-line to convert a standard bike into an e-bike