An e-scooter on charge is believed to have started Friday's Bodycomb Street flat fire in Castle Hill, Ebbsfleet. Two people were seriously burned.

Updated 27 October: the fire service now says the fire is believed to have been accidental, started by an electric scooter that was on charge. Its revised report puts the number affected by smoke at four, not six.

An electric scooter on charge is believed to have started a flat fire in Bodycomb Street, Castle Hill, on Friday night. Two people suffered serious burns and four were believed to have been affected by smoke.

Residents of the building were evacuated. That is according to Kent Fire and Rescue Service’s incident report.

What happened

The fire service was called to reports of a flat fire at 10.44pm on Friday 23 October. Its record of the incident closes at 8.58am on Saturday 24 October.

The service says:

  • six fire engines and a height vehicle attended
  • crews wearing breathing apparatus used main jets to put out the flames
  • four people were believed to have been affected by smoke inhalation
  • two people suffered serious burns
  • everyone affected was passed into the care of South East Coast Ambulance Service and HEMS paramedics, the air ambulance doctors and paramedics

Smoke and water reached other parts of the building, which is why residents were moved out. The service’s volunteer support team was at the scene to help them. Kent Police also attended.

The service now says the cause “is believed to be accidental and started by an electric scooter that was on charge”.

The fire service’s first report said a rest centre had been set up for residents; its revised report no longer mentions one. It has not said how many flats were evacuated, or when residents could go home. It has not given the condition of the two people with burns. We will update this page if any of that is published.

What it means for you

If you live in the building and were moved out, Kent Fire and Rescue Service runs a support after an incident page. It covers what to do next, from insurance to getting back into your home.

If you charge an e-scooter or e-bike at home, the government’s product safety guidance says to:

  • charge it when you are awake and at home, not overnight or while you are out
  • charge it somewhere that does not block an exit or escape route, and do not cover the charger or battery
  • unplug it once the battery is full
  • use the right charger, and buy from a trusted seller

It also says never to try to put out a lithium-ion battery fire yourself: leave the building and call 999.

Anyone in Kent can ask for a free home fire safety visit from the fire service. It includes checking your smoke alarms.

In flats, the advice on whether to stay put or leave depends on your building. Your landlord or managing agent should be able to tell you what your building’s fire plan says.

Correction, 27 October 2026: this report first said six people were affected by smoke, as the fire service’s incident report then stated. The service has since revised the figure to four, and we have changed it.