E-scooter Goes Up in Flames in Parsons Green Station
Passengers forced to evacuate from District Line train
The burning scooter was dragged onto the platform. Picture: Twitter
Passengers on a District Line train arriving at Parsons Green station were ordered off by the driver after an e-scooter on board went up in flames.
The incident occurred at around 8pm on Monday 1 November and film footage shows passengers fleeing while coughing from the smoke coming from the scooter after its lithium battery exploded.
Smoke billowed down the length of the tube train as the driver gave an instruction to get off immediately.
The scooter was taken off the train and placed on the platform as passengers attempted to use the platform fire extinguisher to put out the blaze.
No injuries were reported.
The incident has led to calls for Transport for London (TfL) to increase the restrictions on bringing e-scooters onto public transport.
Lorraine Ward organising director of the TSSA union told the Evening Standard, “Without doubt the incident at Parsons Green raises very serious concerns.
“It’s becoming all too clear that e-scooters pose a significant threat to the travelling public, our members and all workers at TfL.
“There should be an immediate halt to transporting them on all TfL services until more research into these batteries has been carried out.
“I’m therefore urging TfL to fully enforce the already existing ban on the use of e-scooters. Indeed, a further ban across the wider travel network should be considered by the Secretary of State for Transport.”
According to the TSSA this is the second incident of this nature within a week with firefighters called to Stanmore station after an e-scooter being held in lost property exploded.
Ms Ward added: “What happened at Parsons Green and recently at Stanmore must be properly investigated as soon as possible.
“Safety on our transport network will always be our union’s number one priority, there can be no compromises on that.”
A TfL spokesperson said: “We completely understand how worrying it was for our customers and staff when an e-scooter caught alight on a train.
“Emergency services attended Parsons Green station and the e-scooter was removed at the first opportunity.
“While incidents like this are very rare, we take safety on the network extremely seriously and are undertaking a full review, which includes liaising with the London Fire Brigade.
“It is forbidden to ride e-scooters at stations or on trains, and failure to comply with this by-law is a criminal offence. E-scooters may currently be carried but must be folded for the entirety of the journey.”.
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November 15, 2021