E-Bike safety has been on the minds of local officials but not quite in the way with what occurred Friday morning in the Levittown section of Bristol Township.
Fire crews were dispatched to 33 Aspen Lane, Bristol Township at 1005am, Friday July 3 for a reported house fire.
Homeowners reported their son had a friend staying over who brought his e-bike indoors last night and plugged it in to charge. And that just after 10am this morning there was a sudden, loud explosion with flames and sparks shooting from the e-bike, said Fire Marshal Kevin Dippolito.
“The sparks and flames ignited a nearby couch and chair, and an ottoman were approximately 20 feet away” he said.
All residents escaped, with several going out a 2nd floor window, according to fire officials.
One homeowner suffered minor burns and cuts dragging the e-bike out a rear door and extinguishing the burning furniture with a garden hose, however the garden hose had little effect on the e-bike which kept reigniting once outdoors, Dippolito said.
In addition to the furniture, the home suffered heat and smoke damage, Dippolito said.
The owner of the e-bike reported the battery had been replaced a few days earlier, fire officials said.
First responders dispatched to the scene Levittown #2, Edgely, and the Fairless Hills Fire companies with the Levittown Fairless Hills Rescue Squad.