E-bike battery warning after fire guts home

Image source, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service

Image caption, Several rooms in the house were damaged or destroyed by the fire

People are being warned about the dangers of e-bike batteries after a fire gutted a family home.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service was called to a house on Claremont Road in Newbridge, Caerphilly county, at about 16:30 GMT on Wednesday.

The family who lived at the house managed to escape unharmed, along with their four dogs.

Alongside pictures posted on social media, the fire service warned of the dangers that can be posed by lithium-ion batteries, such as those found in electric bikes.

It said: "The fire caused severe damage to the living room and kitchen of the property, with the bedrooms sustaining smoke damage.

"Due to the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries, we urge everyone to visit our e-bike and e-scooter safety page."

It took a team of firefighters about 90 minutes to bring the blaze under control.

The fire service advises only using the charger that comes with the device, avoiding cheap chargers available online and not storing, using, or charging batteries at very high or low temperatures.

Image source, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service

Image caption, The family living in the house escaped when the fire broke out