A lithium-ion battery inside a vape has been blamed for a flat fire that destroyed half of a three-bedroom home in South London on Tuesday afternoon, with the London Fire Brigade issuing an urgent safety reminder.
The brigade was called to a six-storey block on Woolwich Common at around 3.30pm after reports of thick smoke and flames. Five fire engines and around 35 firefighters from Plumstead, East Greenwich and Eltham attended, and the blaze was brought under control by 4.24pm. Fire investigators confirmed the fire was accidental and caused by the failure of a lithium-ion battery inside a vape. No fatalities or life-threatening injuries were reported.
What the fire service is warning residents
The London Fire Brigade used the incident to reissue its battery safety advice for homes and shared buildings:
- Always use the charger supplied with the device, and never leave batteries charging overnight or unattended.
- Buy replacement chargers only from trusted suppliers, since fake chargers are a known fire risk.
- Avoid charging or storing devices at very high or low temperatures, or on flammable surfaces such as beds.
- Never cover chargers with blankets or clothing, and keep devices away from bedding.
- Test smoke alarms regularly, since early detection gives residents time to escape.
“Unplug devices once they have finished charging and make sure you use the right charger for your device,” an LFB spokesperson said, adding that working smoke alarms remain one of the most important ways to detect fires and save lives.
A wider pattern of battery fires
The Woolwich Common fire is the latest in a string of incidents tied to failing lithium-ion batteries in vapes, e-bikes and e-scooters. Thermal runaway, where a damaged or defective cell overheats and bursts into self-sustaining flame, is the process behind most of these blazes, and fire services have warned that battery fires burn hotter and release corrosive gases that make them especially dangerous in flats.
The brigade also pointed to recycling centres, where incorrectly disposed vapes are linked to more than ten fires a week across the UK. Vapers can reduce the risk at home by following a proper vape battery safety guide, and by knowing how to spot fake vapes, since counterfeit devices and cheap unbranded batteries are behind many of the worst incidents.
Source: South London News, October 14, 2026.