Yahoo News Terrifying moment e-bike battery explodes in front of shocked owner
There are growing concerns about the safety of e-bikes and the fire hazard they pose, as figures suggest that fires sparked by them are on the up
Watch: Shocking moment e-bike battery explodes feet from terrified owner
This is the terrifying moment an e-bike owner ran for his life after its battery exploded inside his home while it was charging.
Video footage shows the man fleeing from the gadget after its battery suddenly burst into flames just a few feet from him.
The clip was released by West Midlands Fire Service to warn people of the dangers of not charging e-bikes correctly.
It shows the owner approaching the device while it charged, then retreating towards the door before it suddenly explodes with a huge flash followed by thick smoke that fills the room, blocking the camera.
A West Midlands Fire Service spokesperson said: "This is the terrifying moment an e-bike battery exploded when it was on charge.
"The owner of the footage has kindly let us share it, to flag the dangers.
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"Whether it's an e-bike or scooter, mobile phone or other device, always charge safely.
"Follow the manufacturer's instructions. Never leave an item charging while you're asleep or away from home.
"Never charge where a fire could block your escape route. Always unplug when the device is fully charged.
"Please share to encourage others to charge safely."
How common are e-bike fires?
There are growing concerns about the safety of e-bikes and the fire hazard they pose, as figures suggest that fires sparked by them are on the up.
Dangers are believed to be caused by cheap retrofit bike kits and batteries purchased from non-regulated areas.
In May, the Guardian reported that figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act suggested that fires sparked by faulty e-bikes and e-scooters had injured at least 190 people in the UK and killed eight, with blazes quadrupling since 2020.
The figures suggested that fires caused by lithium-ion batteries overheating were happening at the rate of at least six a week in the UK.
Watch: Video shows e-scooter explode into flames in London kitchen
The worst affected area was said to be London, while fires also more than quadrupled in Greater Manchester from 2020 to 2022, injuring six people, the newspaper reported.
Last month, figures from the London Fire Brigade suggested there had been a 60% rise in e-bike fires this year.
Just this week, as he opened inquests into the deaths of a woman and two children after a fire, a coroner said there was a potential link from e-bikes and scooters to the blaze.
Gemma Germeney, 31, and her children Lily Peden, eight, and Oliver Peden, four, died following the fire in Cambridge on 30 June.
Opening their inquests at Peterborough Town Hall, coroner David Heming said investigations into the blaze were ongoing but there was a potential link to e-bikes and scooters.
