E-bike fire in Southend kills cat and destroys house

16 October 2023

Richard Daniel and Peter WalkerBBC News, in Southend-on-Sea

News image — Holly Barwell was in the house at the time of the fire

Richard Daniel/BBC Fire damage to a house — Holly Barwell was in the house at the time of the fire

A house has been destroyed and a cat has died after a £2,500 e-bike caught fire in Essex.

Firefighters said they managed to save four other pets after the blaze in Southend-on-Sea on Sunday.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said it was important to follow manufacturer instructions when charging e-bikes.

Holly Barwell was in the house and said her family "would not have got out" if the blaze had happened at night.

Richard Daniel/BBC A fire damaged e-bike — The family said the mountain e-bike was bought for £2,500 from an Essex shop two weeks ago

Richard Daniel/BBC Fire damage inside a house — The fire service said crews did a "fantastic job"

"Everything has gone and what we have salvaged is black, smoke damaged, it's just gutting really," said Ms Barwell, 27, speaking to the BBC.

"When it exploded down the hallway, I saw the fireball go out and it just melted everything and if it had been a fraction of a second different [my brother] would be dead."

Ms Barwell's brother, who bought the bike for £2,500, and her parents, live in the house in Lundy Close in the Eastwood part of the city.

The family said the mountain bike was a Haibike AllTrack 6 that was bought from an Essex shop two weeks ago.

Richard Daniel/BBC Holly Barwell — Holly Barwell said the fire damage was "gutting"

Firefighters, who were called at 11:06 BST, said two dogs, two tortoises and a cat were rescued from the blaze - although the cat later died.

Ms Barwell said one of their dogs was still receiving veterinary treatment for the effects of smoke inhalation.

Watch manager Richard Blakebrough said crews did a "fantastic job of containing" the blaze and added: "Although we don't believe the bike set alight due to mishandling, it's a good reminder to others when charging e-bikes and e-scooters that you do so safely."