E-scooter explodes on London Underground station after battery failure
COMMUTERS were given a fright when an electric scooter exploded on a London Underground station in West London.
The electric scooter was seen alight on the platform next to a District Line train at Parsons Green London Underground station after a battery failure. Smoke can be seen billowing from the scooter, filling up the carriages with thick black smoke in seconds.
Exclusive - Footage shows the dangers of escooter battery fires on the tube. This happened on Monday night. @TSSAunion calling for a ban on carrying escooters on public transport saying they’re a “significant threat”. More BBC1 @BBCLondonNews 1330 & 1830 & https://t.co/AnnXezXTE2 pic.twitter.com/iCjNLtlKDu
— Tom Edwards (@BBCTomEdwards) November 3, 2021
In a separate clip, passengers can be seen coughing and spluttering on the platform moments after leaving the train
One passenger even calls for a fire extinguisher in the hope of putting out the blaze.
The incident has sparked fury from Trade Union bosses who are demanding for change.
The TSSA, the union for people working in transport and travel, said e-scooters posed a “significant threat” to the public and staff.
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TSSA organising director Lorraine Ward has urged TfL to “fully enforce” an existing ban on e-scooters.
Ms Ward has also called for “a further ban” to be considered across the “wider travel network” for safety.
She said: “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 traveling public, our members and all workers at TfL.
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“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.
“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.”
Transport for London said it was “forbidden” to ride e-scooters at stations or on trains but could be carried if they were folded safely.
In a statement, they 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.”