Summary
A house fire in Chilworth, Surrey, caused by a modified e-bike, left Emma Wills and her family homeless and claimed the life of their kitten. The fire was linked to an e-bike conversion kit, which can be more dangerous than pre-made e-bikes due to a lack of safety standards. Reports show many such incidents, raising concerns about the safety of modified e-bikes.
Key Facts
- The fire occurred in Chilworth, Surrey, after a modified e-bike caught fire in the living room.
- Emma Wills and her family lost their home and one of their kittens in the fire.
- The e-bike was modified using a conversion kit bought online.
- A survey found that 23% of UK push-bike owners are considering converting their bikes into e-bikes.
- Conversion kits are cheaper but come with significant safety risks, according to Electrical Safety First.
- The technology for conversion kits lacks safety regulations and standards.
- In 2024, 170 reports of e-bike fires were recorded, with 45% linked to converted e-bikes.
