A housing provider supporting vulnerable people has released a hard-hitting safety video following a serious fire at one of its properties in Swindon.
Derventio Housing Trust, which provides accommodation for people at risk of homelessness, says the film has been created to highlight the dangers posed by electric scooters and e-bikes—particularly when charged indoors.
The move follows an incident last July in which an e-scooter being charged inside a shared house burst into flames, forcing residents to evacuate. While no-one was injured, the fire spread rapidly and left a clear impression on those involved.
The organisation, which supports around 1,200 people a year across several counties, has since reinforced its ban on such devices within its properties.
Managing director Sarah Hernandez said the decision to produce the video was driven by a need to make the risks clear.
“We felt it was important to explain to residents why electric scooters and e-bikes are not allowed,” she said. “They present a serious fire hazard, and that was unfortunately demonstrated in one of our Swindon properties. Thankfully no-one was hurt, but the outcome could have been very different.”
The video depicts a scenario in shared accommodation where an e-scooter ignites while charging, quickly filling the home with smoke and forcing occupants to escape. It forms part of a wider campaign aimed at preventing similar incidents.
Electric scooters and e-bikes typically use lithium-ion batteries, which can fail catastrophically if damaged or improperly charged. Fires involving these batteries can develop quickly, producing intense heat and thick, toxic smoke that is difficult to control.
Derventio says the safety message is particularly important given the circumstances of many of its residents, who may already be rebuilding their lives after periods of instability.
“It’s vital that people feel safe in our homes,” Ms Hernandez added. “We also need residents to understand the consequences of ignoring the rules—not only the risk to life, but the potential loss of their accommodation and future housing options.”
The campaign has been supported by funding from the Electrical Safety Fund, with production led by a specialist behaviour change agency alongside a local media company.
The video will now be shown to all residents and incorporated into induction processes for new tenants, as the organisation looks to reduce risk and raise awareness.
Fire services and safety bodies continue to warn of the growing number of incidents linked to battery-powered devices, urging people to follow guidance and remain vigilant when charging such equipment indoors.
For Derventio, the message is a simple one—safety must come first.
