The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service has issued a warning about the "alarming rise" in blazes caused by e-bike and e-scooter batteries.
They say they recently attended a fire in Belfast 'caused by an e-bike charging overnight', sharing images of the damage.
A NIFRS post on social media said: "You may have noticed there has been some news coverage lately following an alarming rise in the number of fires caused by e-bikes and e-scooters.
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"Many e-bikes and e-scooters use lithium-ion batteries which can catch fire quickly and with little warning.
"These pictures are from a recent fire we attended in Belfast caused by an e-bike battery which was charging overnight."
The Fire Service have give their top safety tips to help prevent e-bike and e-scooter battery fires:
- "Buy from reputable retailers - many fires involve counterfeit electrical goods
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging, storing and handling your battery
- Only use the original manufacturer’s charger
- Never use charging strips or extension cords
- Never leave them to charge unattended or overnight
- Never leave plugged in when it is not charging
- Avoid charging or storing in extreme temperatures
- Handle with care – keep away from water
- Do not modify or attempt to repair your battery."
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