Woman forced to jump from window of burning building after 'two e-bikes caught fire'

Published: 02:03, 11 June 2026 | Updated: 02:08, 11 June 2026 A woman was forced to jump from the window of a burning building in the early hours of Tuesday morning after two e-bikes caught fire.  The London Fire Brigade was called to a detached house in Brondesbury Park, Kilburn, at 4.49am to a blaze that they believe started after one of the e-bikes' lithium batteries failed while it was on charge.  A woman was forced to evacuate the property by jumping out of a first floor window since the main escape route was blocked, causing her to suffer suspected broken ribs.  She was taken to hospital, while a further three people evacuated themselves before the fire services arrived.  Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from Willesden, West Hampstead, North Kensington, Park Royal and Paddington attended the scene. The teams got the fire under control over an hour later, at 5.52am.  The London Fire Brigade has since issued a warning to users of e-bikes and e-scooters, stating that they have attended a fire on average every other day involving an e-bike or e-scooter.  The authority said: 'The fire blocked the resident's main escape route, preventing them from exiting the flat. As a result, they were forced to evacuate the building through bedroom windows. 'This incident highlights why you should always ensure your escape route is clear and why we recommend never storing an e-bike or e-scooter on your means of escape, such as a hallway or by your front door.  The London Fire Brigade issued a warning to e-bike and e-scooter users following the blaze on Tuesday In July last year, shocking footage showed the moment a block of flats in Hanwell, west London, was set alight after an overcharged e-bike battery caught alight  'We've seen the devastating consequences of what can happen when an exit is blocked by an e-scooter fire. Instead, keep it in a room where you can shut a door, contain the fire and call 999. 'This incident also highlights the importance of working smoke alarms and heat detection.  'Smoke alarms give the earliest possible warning when a fire starts and we would urge everyone to make sure they have one fitted in every room where a fire can start except kitchens or bathrooms where heat alarms are more appropriate. 'In London, we have been attending a fire, on average every other day involving an e-bike or e-scooter.  'Last year, we saw a record number of fires (206) and this is why we urge those who own one of these vehicles, or are thinking about purchasing one, to take a look at our #ChargeSafe advice to help keep themselves and those around them safe. 'It's also important not to overcharge and to unplug the charger once it's completed charging. Never charge an e-bike or e-scooter unattended or whilst you're sleeping.' It follows the tragic deaths of a mother and her two children, aged four and eight, who died in a house fire caused by a modified e-bike in 2023.  An inquest held in March this year heard how Gemma Germeney, 31, died in a fire alongside her eight-year-old daughter, Lilly Peden, and her four-year-old son, Oliver Peden, at a flat in Sackville Close in Cambridge. The children's father, Scott Peden, was in a coma for a month after the blaze on June 30, 2023. The fire service said an e-bike that was charging was the most probable cause of the fire. Mr Peden listened to the hearing online on Tuesday, while Mrs Germeney's parents and other family members attended in person. Miles Bennett, counsel for Mr Peden, said that someone 'carried out a modification' to the lithium battery in the e-bike. 'Within a very short time after that quick fix was carried out there was a tumultuous fire at Mr Peden's address,' he said.  In July last year, a shocking video was shared to social media showing an inferno ripping through a block of flats in west London after an overcharged e-bike battery caught fire.  Residents in Hanwell evacuated themselves at 6pm on July 19, 2025 after spotting the blaze from their windows. Footage showed the balcony of a flat totally destroyed by the fire and clouds of grey smoke billowing upwards.  Neighbours stopped outside to stare as the blaze took over the home, while others shouted from their own balconies at people trying to go in. As the building went up in flames, concerned residents in a neighbouring block told people to 'get out' and warned them the e-bike 'can explode anytime'.   No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? 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