A North East flat has been decimated by a fire caused by an e-bike battery that overheated when it was on charge, prompting fresh warnings from the fire service.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and Newcastle City Council have issued a warning to e-bike and scooter owners after a fire caused by a lithium battery from one of the vehicles caused a devastating fire in Newcastle.

Firefighters were caused to a residential blaze in Elswick on July 11 after a lithium-ion battery on an e-bike caught fire after it was left on charge in a bedroom.

Read more: What we know as fire engines at scene of Middlesbrough fire

The Northern Echo: Aftermath of the fire in Elswick, Newcastle earlier this month.

Shocking images from the blaze show the wall of the property absolutely destroyed and burnt with the plugs and carpet left singed in its aftermath.

Luckily, the occupant of the property was not in at the time and the fire did not spread past the flat, causing no injuries.

Station Manager Graeme MacDonald, TWFRS Fire Safety Manager said the force has seen a rise in incidents like these as he urges people not to leave e-scooters on charge.

He said: “In Tyne and Wear we have seen an increase in these types of fires and this incident shows how dangerous they can be.


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The Northern Echo: Aftermath of the fire in Elswick, Newcastle earlier this month.

“Thankfully the occupant was not home and there could have been a different outcome if they had been present. Always ensure that you have working smoke alarms, and never leave batteries to charge while you are asleep or away from your home. 

“We would recommend that you are observant with the batteries and consider this checklist. Always look out for the battery getting overly hot, any leakage and unusual behaviour, the battery not holding a charge, and appearing to be warped.”

Bike and e-scooter owners can find targeted advice on this from the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) website by clicking here.