E-bike warning after person injured in house fire

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service has issued a warning about charging e-bikes and e-scooters overnight after a person was left injured in a house fire.

Five fire crews were called to a three-storey home in Westleigh Road in Leicester's West End at about 04:30 BST on Sunday.

The person was treated for burns and smoke inhalation by paramedics, the fire service added.

The cause is believed to have been a charging e-bike, with the service warning that "lithium-ion batteries can become extremely dangerous if damaged, overcharged, or used with the wrong charger".

The service added e-bikes should never be charged overnight.

They added residents should install working smoke alarms and close internal doors overnight or if leaving the property - adding the fire in Westleigh Road was stopped from spreading from the corridor to the kitchen by a closed door.

"A closed door could be the barrier that saves a life," the spokesperson added.

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