Three people were treated for smoke inhalation after a house fire in Lewis Road, Swanscombe. Kent Fire and Rescue says an e-bike battery caught fire on charge.

A house fire in Lewis Road, Swanscombe, on Saturday evening was started by an e-bike battery that caught alight while it was charging, Kent Fire and Rescue Service has said.

Three people were handed to South East Coast Ambulance Service paramedics with the effects of smoke inhalation. The service has not said how serious their condition was.

What happened

Kent Fire and Rescue Service logged the incident at 6.37pm on Saturday 26 September. Its incident report sets out what crews found and did:

  • five fire engines were sent to Lewis Road
  • crews wore breathing apparatus and put the fire out with hose reel jets
  • three people were handed into the care of SECAmb paramedics, suffering the effects of smoke inhalation

The report gives the cause in one line: “It’s believed the fire was caused accidentally after an e-bike battery caught alight whilst charging” (Kent Fire and Rescue Service).

It does not say how much of the house was damaged, and we have not named anyone who lives there.

Not the first in Swanscombe

The service has recorded an e-bike fire in the village before. In August 2024, two fire engines went to an e-bike alight in Broomfield Road, Swanscombe. Nobody was hurt that time (Kent Fire and Rescue Service).

Saturday’s fire was the second serious call in the borough in four days. On Wednesday 23 September, six fire engines went to a fire at commercial premises in Halcrow Avenue, Dartford. Kent Police and SECAmb also attended. No injuries were reported. The service believes that fire was accidental and has linked it to an electrical fault (Kent Fire and Rescue Service).

What it means for you

Lithium-ion batteries power most e-bikes and e-scooters. Kent Fire and Rescue Service warns that if they are not charged correctly, they “can catch fire, or fail catastrophically and ‘explode’”. Its advice for charging at home is:

  • charge only when you are awake and at home, so you can act quickly. Never charge overnight or while you are out
  • unplug the charger as soon as the battery is full, and do not overcharge
  • use the manufacturer’s charger. If it is worn or damaged, buy an official replacement from a reputable seller
  • do not cover the charger while it is working
  • keep the bike away from escape routes and anything that could catch fire, and store it somewhere cool
  • fit a heat alarm if you charge in a garage or kitchen, and make sure your smoke alarms work
  • do not overload sockets or use a coiled or under-rated extension lead

If an e-bike, e-scooter or battery does catch fire, the service’s instruction is: get out, stay out and call 999. Do not try to put it out yourself (Kent Fire and Rescue Service safety advice).

The service also recommends registering electrical items at Register My Appliance, so you are told if a product is recalled.

Getting rid of an old battery. E-bike and household batteries must not go in your grey bin: Dartford Borough Council lists batteries among the dangerous items it will not collect. There is a battery drop-off point at the Civic Centre, and many supermarkets and high street shops run take-back bins. Our Dartford bin collection guide sets out what goes where.

Sources