11 people taken to hospital after ‘e-bike fire’ rips through tower block

A fire believed to have been started by an e-bike battery has ripped through a block of flats in east London leaving seven residents and one firefighter in hospital.

Emergency services were called to Bradbeer House on Cornwall Avenue, Bethnal Green, just before midnight after thick smoke was seen around the building.

The fire affected all 18 flats in the building, displacing dozens of residents.

Witness accounts suggest the fire was sparked by lithium batteries from a second-hand electric bike, with one resident allegedly charging two bikes at the time of the fire.

A neighbour commented on Facebook that the resident had 14 batteries stored in his flat.

A London Fire Brigade source confirmed: ‘We were called to a fire at a residential property in Bradbeer House, Cornwall Avenue, shortly before midnight on 9 April.

‘An electric bike is believed to be involved, though a full investigation is underway.

‘One firefighter was injured while carrying out rescue operations and has been taken to hospital.’

A London Ambulance Service Spokesperson said: ‘We were called at 11.38pm yesterday (9 April) to reports of a fire in Cornwall Avenue, Bethnal Green.

‘We sent a number of resources to the scene including ambulance crews, advanced paramedics and members of our Hazardous Area Response Team.

‘We treated 17 patients in total. We took 11 patients to hospital and six patients were cared for and discharged at the scene.’

The fire adds to a growing list of incidents involving e-bike and e-scooter batteries across London.

According to recent LFB data, more than 150 e-bike fires were recorded in the capital during 2024.

Faulty or second-hand batteries and the use of unofficial chargers have been identified as key risks.

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