06 August 2023 , 19:22
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A community has been rocked after a dad died in a devastating house fire said to have been started when the lithium battery pack charging an e-bike failed and caught alight.
The man, who has not yet been named, lost his life weeks after a flat fire that killed a woman and two young children, which was also believed to have started when the vehicle was charging overnight. Firefighters rushed to the home in Woodyard Close, Kentish Town, London after receiving a dozen calls just before 7am.
The fire took two-and-half hours to bring it under control. The London Fire Brigade said the horrendous blaze looked 'like a rocket hit the house and blew up'. Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters attempted to rescue the man and extinguish the flames.
Bu the fire completely destroyed thew family's house and the man couldn't be saved. Billy Corrol, Chairman of the Tenants and Residents Association in Woodyard Close, told MyLondon: "Everyone in the community is totally devastated. When you see it, it's like a rocket has just hit a house and blew up. That's the damage it's caused. That house is totally gone."He added: "It's such a shock, especially for the family's children. I think they actually saw the fire so that's something that will be in their minds for the rest of their lives, seeing their house go up."
An LFB spokesperson said: "Sadly, a man has died following a flat fire on Woodyard Close in Kentish Town. Most of the ground and first floors of a mid-terraced house converted into flats were alight. Five people left the building before the fire crews arrived. Firefighters found a man on the ground floor of the property, who was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. The Brigade's 999 control officers took 13 calls to the blaze.
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"The brigade was called at 6.56am and the fire was under control by 9.22am. Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters from Kentish Town, Euston, Hornsey, Soho and surrounding fire stations attended the scene. Our fire investigators believe the most probable cause of the fire is due to a lithium battery pack failure, that was charging an e-bike."
Many households were affected by the fire too, with surrounding houses damaged by the fire. The Residents Association had given the six houses affected £500 each to deal with the damage.
It is understood that the family that lost their home is now living with relatives while they find somewhere else to live. Now, the committee of the tenants and residents association has set up a fundraiser on GoFundMe to help the family where they can. A target has been set of £2,000 with £6,60 raised so far.
Mr Corrol said: "Me, if I had four and a half grand, I would have given it to them personally." All the money raised will be given to the family to use however they see fit. You can donate to the fundraiser here.