November 28th 2024.
A tragic incident occurred in London when a father, Don Hettjarachi, lost his home due to a fire that broke out suddenly. The cause of the fire was the explosion of a lithium battery in his son's converted e-bike. Don, who works as a bus driver, had just returned from his night shift when he heard the smoke alarm blaring at around 10am on September 20. Within minutes, the fire had engulfed both stories of their terraced house in New Malden, a suburb of south-west London, and filled it with thick smoke.
By 11.52am, the brave firefighters had managed to control the blaze on Muybridge Way. However, the damage had already been done. Don told Metro that the ground and first floor of their house were gutted, while the conservatory was completely melted. The downstairs bathroom, living room, and kitchen were destroyed, and the three bedrooms upstairs were badly scorched, with most of their belongings damaged.
According to Don, the lithium battery of his son's converted e-bike, which he had bought from a friend, was the cause of the fire. It had been charging for five hours in the conservatory before the explosion occurred. Don recalls the moment he realized the severity of the situation. He heard the fire alarm and initially thought it was his neighbor's, but upon looking outside, he saw his neighbors running around in a state of panic. He then realized that it was his house on fire and quickly went downstairs to assess the situation. His wife and eldest son had already evacuated the house and were looking for their cat, who had luckily escaped and was found hiding under a car. Don expressed relief that no one was hurt and credits his neighbors for quickly calling the fire brigade.
The fire was so intense that within 10 minutes, it had destroyed their entire home. The family had only recently moved into the house, and now, their home was uninhabitable. Fortunately, the council provided them with emergency accommodation on the same night. However, the incident took a toll on Don and his wife's mental health, and they had to take a month off work to recover from the trauma. It was especially tough for Don to see their home in ruins, and the images of flames and smoke are still etched in his memory.
Adding to their misfortune, Don's home insurance had expired during the summer, and he had been preoccupied with arranging doctors for his father-in-law in Sri Lanka. He had not even thought about renewing his policy. The family finally moved back into their partly rebuilt home last week, but the memories of the fire still haunt them. Don's wife is still in shock, and his son feels guilty for what happened.
E-bikes, the go-to mode of transportation for delivery drivers and environmentally conscious commuters, have become increasingly popular since the start of the pandemic. It is estimated that nearly one in 10 Britons now own an e-bike, and this number is expected to rise as one in five Londoners plan to purchase one during Black Friday or Cyber Monday. However, this e-bike boom has come at a cost. According to a survey conducted by the charity Electrical Safety First and the London Fire Brigade, e-bikes and e-scooters are now the fastest-growing fire risk in the capital. In 2023, 11 people lost their lives in fires caused by these devices.
The survey also revealed that more than half of the people planning to purchase an e-bike or e-scooter are looking for second-hand deals on online marketplaces. This is concerning because these devices can be dangerous if they are substandard or charged incorrectly at home. The lithium batteries in these devices, if not used properly, can overheat and cause a fire. Lesley Rudd, chief executive of Electrical Safety First, urges shoppers to stick with reputable manufacturers and sellers to ensure the safety of their homes.
The London Fire Brigade also stresses the importance of buying high-quality products from reputable sellers. Richard Field, a representative from the brigade, warns shoppers to be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, especially when buying from third-party sellers on online marketplaces or auction sites. As part of their #ChargeSafe campaign, the brigade urges consumers to only purchase from trusted sources to avoid any potential danger.
The devastating incident has left Don and his family in a difficult situation. They are grateful for the support they have received from their local community, including the school, church, college, and even Don's wife's employer, John Lewis. Don's daughter, Nikil, has started a fundraising page on GoFundMe to help cover the costs of rebuilding their lives. They have managed to raise over £4,100 so far, but they still need £25,000 to get back on their feet.
Don's advice to shoppers this Black Friday is to avoid purchasing e-bikes or e-scooters and opt for manual ones instead. He believes that the risk is not worth the convenience. The incident has left a lasting impact on their family, and they will never purchase an e-bike again. The safety of their home and loved ones is their top priority.
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