A distraught mother is urging people to take care with e-bikes after her only daughter Sofia Duarte, 21, was killed in a fire on the Old Kent Road caused by a converted e-bike.
Maria Frasquilho Macarro described life as a “nightmare” ever since losing her “superstar” daughter, a nightclub bartender, to the blaze above a Nigerian restaurant in South Bermondsey on New Year’s Day.
Investigators believe the fire was caused when a converted e-bike blocking an escape route burst into flames.
Maria is determined that the loss of her daughter will not be in vain. She said: “Sofia loved life, she loved to party and she enjoyed her job working behind the bar at a nightclub. Now all I have left is my daughter’s ashes.
“I really want to make sure her death is not in vain and if I can raise awareness about the dangers of e-bikes and lithium batteries then there will be a positive in this.
“If we can save someone else’s life, I will take great comfort in that because at the moment I am hurting – I don’t want others to suffer as much as I have done.”
Sofia Duarte, 21. Source: GoFundMe
Described as “the light in every party”, Sofia “loved life” and had reportedly planned to become a prison officer where she hoped to help convicts’ rehabilitation.
Raised in West London by her mother who is from Portugal, she was reportedly visiting her boyfriend when a fire engulfed the building above Calabar Zone by Dunton Road, at 5pm on January 1.
Horrific scenes ensued, with fireballs described as exploding from the windows as bystanders screamed and people tried to break the front door down.
Others managed to escape the building but Sofia was the only person who didn’t make it and she was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
Heart-wrenching tributes poured in for the “beautiful young lady” from friends and family and £4,142 was raised to cover funeral costs.
According to posts on the GoFundMe page, she was buried in a pink coffin, surrounded by her favourite red roses, with doves released “so she won’t fly alone”.
Sofia’s friend Alda Simoes wrote at the time: “We will make sure you get the send off you deserve babygirl. You have gone too soon but you will never leave our hearts…”
“Sofia meant the world to me and my family. I don’t know how to live without her. It feels like a nightmare and I can’t wake up,” her mother said this week.
Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from Old Kent Road, Dockhead and New Cross fire stations had attended the scene.
Fire investigators surveying the site discovered a bicycle had been converted into an e-bike and its lithium battery had “failed catastrophically”, sparking the fire.
Conversion kits allow people to fit electric motors to their bikes but not all are sold with a battery.
People sometimes buy cheap batteries online but they don’t always adhere to UK safety standards and can become fire hazards if they fail.
While there was no evidence of poor installation on the bike in question, DIY installations can also damage the kit, increasing the likelihood of battery failure and the possibility of a fire, the brigade said.
So far in 2023, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) has been called to a fire once every two days. In 2022, there were 116 fires caused by e-bikes or e-scooters.
Lithium batteries store huge amounts of energy in a confined space so overcharging, crushing or penetrating them can lead to fires and explosions.
LFB’s Deputy Commissioner Dom Ellis said: “Sofia’s death is a tragedy, and our condolences are with her family and friends. We are working hard to prevent these types of incidents in the future.
“E-bikes and e-scooters are becoming more common in London and the risk of significant fires is rising too. We want people to travel safely and be aware of the risks that the batteries present as part of our #ChargeSafe campaign. Protect yourself and your loved ones by following our #ChargeSafe tips and by using our Home Fire Safety Checker.
“Never block your escape route with anything, including e-bikes and e-scooters. The only way to be sure of a legal, safe and reliable e-bike is to buy one in complete form, from a trusted and reputed retailer.
“The number of incidents our fire crews are attending shows that buying a product from a reputable seller will help protect you, your family and property from bursting into flames – not forgetting the peace of mind it can give.”
Usually, the LFB does not comment on deaths while the coroner’s court processes are ongoing but the severity of the incident and the need to raise awareness has prompted the appeal.
#ChargeSafe campaign safety tips for e-bike and e-scooter users:
- Never block your escape route with anything, including e-bikes and e-scooters.
Store them somewhere away from a main through route. Our advice is to store these items in a safe location if possible, such as a garage or a shed. - Check your battery and charger meets UK safety standards.?
Watch out for signs that the battery or charger aren’t working as they should – if it’s hot to the touch or has changed shape. - Always use the correct charger and buy an official one from a reputable seller.
We have particular concern where batteries have been purchased from online marketplaces and when they’ve been sourced on the internet, which may not meet the correct safety standards. - Let the battery cool before charging.
Batteries can get warm during their use and it is advisable to allow them to cool down before attempting to re-charge as they could be more susceptible to failure. If you are charging batteries indoors, please follow our advice on safe charging. - Unplug your charger once it’s finished charging.
Always follow manufacturers’ instructions when charging and we would advise not to leave it unattended or while people are asleep. - Fit alarms where you charge. Ensure you have smoke alarms fitted in areas where e-bikes or e-scooters are being charged and make sure they are tested regularly. You can quickly and easily check your home by visiting our free online home fire safety checker tool by visiting london-fire.gov.uk/checker.