Emergency Services Take Over Paddington Central
If you were in Paddington Central on Wednesday 22 July, you may have spotted quite a scene: fire trucks lined up, police officers speaking with passers-by, firefighters sharing practical safety advice - and even a cherry picker rising outside office windows. It certainly made for an eye-catching sight, but the activity had an important purpose: bringing vital fire safety and community support directly to the people who live, work and travel through the campus.
London Fire Brigade joined us to promote their #ChargeSafe campaign, helping people understand how to reduce risks linked to charging e-bikes, e-scooters and other devices, while also taking people on a trip up in the cherry picker.
Fires involving lithium batteries are one of the fastest-growing fire risks in London. Fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters rose from 31 in 2020, 78 in 2021, 116 in 2022, 179 in 2023, 171 in 2024 and to 206 in 2025. London Fire Brigade attends, on average, an e-bike or e-scooter fire once every two days.
Whilst e-bikes and e-scooters offer a great way round the city, their batteries can start incredibly ferocious fires when damaged. Within minutes, a battery fire can spread dangerously out of control.
Stay safe and;
- Don't charge you batteries by your front door or any other escape route
- Never charge your batteries when you are asleep
- Only buy your batteries and charger from a reputable seller
Alongside them, the Met Police were on hand to offer their free bike-marking service, helping cyclists take a simple but effective step to protect their bike. In total, 28 bikes were registered during the event, giving owners an added layer of security and making it easier for police to identify and return bikes if they are ever stolen. Officers also used the opportunity to speak about Violence Against Women and Girls, sharing information, listening to concerns and answering questions from those who stopped by. Their presence aimed to create an open and approachable space for conversations about personal safety, crime prevention and the support available within the local community.
Whether you were drawn over by people waving from outside your seventh-floor office window or simply stopped to ask a question while passing through, thank you to everyone who took the time to engage with the event.
A huge thank you to the London Fire Brigade and the Met Police for giving their time and resources, and to Paddington Central and Bidvest Noonan for helping ensure the afternoon ran smoothly and safely.