A Plymouth property has been badly damaged after a battery believed to be from an e-bike exploded while on charge this afternoon.
Firefighters were called to Kensington Road in Mutley after multiple residents reported a fire inside the property.
Smoke was seen rising from the property, and it was reported that people may still be inside the building.
Two fire appliances from Greenbank were sent to the scene before a third appliance from Crownhill was requested.
Fire Control stayed on the phone with the caller, giving safety advice while people urgently evacuated from the property.
Crews from the Greenbank fire station arrived within minutes and found heavy smoke coming from the front door of the property.
Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were sent inside with hose reel jets to search for possible casualties and locate the fire.
The blaze was found on the ground floor of the four-storey building, which is split into eight privately rented flats.
Firefighters quickly brought the fire under control and searched the building before confirming at 3.30pm that nobody had been found inside.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that the fire was located in the bedroom of a ground-floor flat and was caused by an exploding lithium-ion battery.
The bedroom suffered 100% fire damage, while the remainder of the property sustained around 80% smoke damage.
Thermal imaging cameras and gas detection monitors were used to check the building and the remaining flats for any fire spread.
Positive pressure ventilation fans were then used to clear smoke from the building.
The incident was brought under control at 4.20pm and fire crews remained at the scene for security purposes while awaiting the arrival of the landlord's agent.
Paramedics and police also attended but thankfully there were no casualties.
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