Fire safety campaign launched following e-bike fire at Salford tower block

Salix Homes has launched a new fire safety campaign following a serious fire at one of our tower blocks sparked by an e-bike battery.

We’re urging our tenants across Salford to be aware of the potential dangers posed by the lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters.

It comes after a fire at Mulberry Court, Pendleton, last December, which gutted a 10^th floor flat at the tower block and resulted in the building being partially evacuated.

A recent report by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has concluded that the fire was caused by an e-bike battery that had been charging in the bedroom of the property.

As part of the campaign, we’re now sharing shocking images of the fire damage caused to the flat in a bid to warn others of the potential dangers.

Stewart Kerr, Building Safety Manager at Salix Homes, said: “Thankfully no one was injured during the fire at Mulberry Court, but the outcome could have been very different, and we want to warn our residents about the dangers associated with charging the lithium batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters.

“We’ve carried out extensive fire safety improvements to all our tower blocks in Salford, and fortunately the fire was contained to the flat where it originated, but the ferocity at which the fire took hold and the damage it caused to the property is quite shocking.

“The fire service has seen a rise in e-bike related fires, and we are seeing more of our tenants owning and using e-bikes and e-scooters, so we want to ensure they’re taking the necessary steps to ensure they’re not putting peoples’ lives or homes at risk.”

Most e-bikes and e-scooters on the market in the UK bought from reputable manufacturers meet the stringent safety regulations, but many of the safety issues are arising from converter kits, which are lithium-ion battery packs designed to convert a standard bike to an e-bike.

There are growing concerns about these converter kits sold online, which do not meet UK safety regulations and present an increased fire risk.

Last year, GMFRS attended 14 fires that had been sparked by e-bikes and e-scooters, an increase from eight in 2021 and three in 2020.

GMFRS’s Head of Prevention Area Manager Billy Fenwick said: “This is an incident, given it is in a high-rise building, that could have been a lot worse had firefighters not acted so quickly in controlling and extinguishing the fire, alongside the building’s fire safety measures.

“The fire started due to a faulty lithium-ion battery pack that was left charging, and the pictures show just how quickly this type of fire can rip through a property.

“We are urging everyone with an electric bike to please be responsible and follow our safety guidance. Batteries can be a fire risk if they’re over-charged, short circuited, or damaged, so it’s important to protect them against being damaged and to charge them safely.

“It’s also really important that when buying an electric bike, purchase them – as well as the batteries and chargers – from a reputable seller. It’s the same if you are buying a kit to convert your normal bike to an electric one; buy from a reputable seller and check that it complies with British or European standards.”

As part of the e-bike safety campaign, Salix Homes has now issued safety advice for residents, which includes:

• Never charge your electric bikes or scooters while you’re sleeping or not at home

• Unplug your charger once it’s finished charging

• Never block your escape route with your e-bike or scooter

• Never tamper with the battery and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions

• Ensure your battery and charger meets UK safety standards and always use the correct charger

• Never cover your charger as this could lead to it overheating or setting on fire

• Be wary of DIY kits bought on-line to convert a standard bike into an e-bike

Find out more about the risks associated with e-bikes and other fire safety advice.

Can you get out of your building in an emergency?

The safety of our customers is very important to us, and we need to know what support our tenants living in our high-rise blocks may need if you need to evacuate your home in an emergency.

During an emergency, such as a fire, the lifts will not be working, which means you must leave the building using the stairs.

If you have any mobility issues, medical conditions or disabilities that may prevent you evacuating your home without assistance, it’s important that you tell us.

We’re urging all our high-rise customers to let us know if you and the people living in your home are able to evacuate your home in an emergency. If you or anyone in your home would require assistance, our Building Safety Team will be in touch with you to discuss how we can support you.

Please complete our short ‘Evacuating in an Emergency’ form to ensure we have your correct information.