E-Bike Battery Fire Leaves British Family Homeless, House Destroyed



An e-bike battery fire in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, has underscored the risks associated with e-bike batteries and sparked calls for enhanced safety measures. According to The Metro, the fire obliterated the home of a family of seven, leaving them with only the clothes they were wearing.

On July 9, a blaze destroyed the three-bedroom house of Simon Blanshard, 40, his partner Laura Natale, 25, and their five children. The family believes the fire was ignited by an e-bike battery that was charging at the time.

The fire left the family homeless, and they are currently relying on the generosity of friends and family for temporary accommodation.


Mr. Blanshard shared his shock and heartbreak over the loss of their home and possessions. "We've lost absolutely everything," he said. "We're starting from scratch."

Simon, who is unemployed and hails from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, told The Metro: "Pretty much everything has been destroyed. Whatever hasn't been burned has been damaged by smoke, so there's nothing in the house we can salvage. We are sofa-surfing at my partner's mom's at the moment; we are basically homeless. It's devastating; it's hard to get through a day without crying."

The incident has brought attention to the potential hazards of e-bike batteries, prompting calls for increased safety measures and pollution control related to electronic vehicles.

A recent study by Emission Analytics, featured in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, challenges the perception of electric vehicles as purely eco-friendly. The study highlights the issue of particle pollution from brakes and tires in both electric and fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Due to their heavier weight, EVs may emit significantly more particulate matter from brakes and tires compared to modern gas-powered vehicles with efficient exhaust filters, potentially up to 1,850 times more.