A WARNING has been issued on the fire risk of light electric vehicles after a storage unit for pedicabs was destroyed in a blaze.
London Fire Brigade shared images to social media of the catastrophic damage to the building on Union Street in Southwark, South London following the fire on Saturday.
The blaze is believed to have been caused by the failure of multiple lithium batteries powering the vehicles.
One person was forced to flee the building through a first-floor window, but escaped before firefighters arrived, along with two others.
In light of the incident, the brigade has warned of making modifications to the vehicles using parts bought online, as well as how uncontrollable lithium battery fires can become.
Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters attended the blaze at the unit, which also served as a workshop.
It was brought under control within an hour of crews arriving.
Images show the burned-out ground floor completely gutted, looking as if it could collapse at any moment.
The first floor was affected by heat and smoke, but the damage was not as severe.
Several of the pedicabs, which resemble metal rickshaws, can be seen reduced to shells with severe damage.
The pictures were posted to social media on Saturday with the caption: “Around 40 firefighters attended a fire at a pedicab storage unit on Union Street in Southwark.
“One person who jumped from the first floor was taken to hospital. The most likely cause of the fire was the catastrophic failure of lithium batteries.”
The post has since received a slew of likes and comments from social media users sharing their reactions:
One commented: “And yet Transport for London still let these on the streets.”
A second wrote: “I hope you made sure all the pedicabs went up in smoke, they are all crooks who work with these, although hope the person who jumped is okay.
Another asked: “Any sign of accelerants?”
A fourth added: “That said, electric cars parking in an underground car park of blocks of flats and hotels is a mega fire risk if an electric car charging or something else sets the car on fire.
“Any building letting electric cars park underneath the block of flats or hotel ought to pay a lot more building insurance.
“Until there’s nationwide swift electric vehicle firefighting in case of an electric car or vehicle fire, electric power vehicles ought to be barred from parking underneath, or in close proximity to listed buildings, important government buildings and national monuments or hospital buildings.
“Same for electric powered buses, coaches, trucks and bikes.”
In a statement issued on Saturday, a spokesperson for London Fire Brigade said: “Personal light electric vehicles, such as pedicabs, along with e-bikes and e-scooters, can be a fun and sustainable way of getting around London.
“However, e-bikes and e-scooters in particular have become one of London’s fastest-growing fire risks which is why London Fire Brigade has been running its ChargeSafe awareness campaign.
“From previous investigations, we know many of the fires we’ve attended have involved second-hand vehicles or the bike has been modified using parts bought online.
“It’s important to get a conversion carried out by a professional or a competent person.
“It’s also important to make sure the conversion kits, batteries and chargers you’re purchasing for the bike is from a reputable seller.
“At this time, there is not the same level of regulation of products for e-bikes and e-scooters sold via online marketplaces or auction sites when compared to high street shops, so we cannot be confident that products meet the correct safety standards.
“Products that fail to meet safety standards are at higher risk of malfunctioning.”
