E-bike fire deaths ruled accidental by coroner

The deaths of a young couple, who died along with their two dogs in a fire caused by an e-bike battery, have been ruled as accidental.

Karlo Bogdan, 24, and Natasha Johnson-Mall, 27, died after a fire started in their home in The Coppice in the Stoke Aldermore area of Coventry on 8 November.

West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) said the blaze started when the batteries on an e-bike ignited and "rapidly escalated into an intense blaze".

Paying tribute to Natasha, her sister Ehsia said she was "beautiful, inside and out".

Speaking after an inquest at Coventry Coroner's Court on Wednesday, Binley firefighter Dell Haughton said the blaze was "devastating".

"I've seen some bad incidents in my 21 years as a firefighter but this is without doubt one of the worst I've seen.

"It was horrible."

The families of the couple have joined the fire service to raise awareness of the potential dangers of lithium-ion batteries, which are often found on e-bikes and e-scooters.

WMFS said over the past two years it had seen a 50% increase in fires linked to lithium-ion batteries

Ehsia said: "The world has lost a truly precious person - uniquely thoughtful and beautiful in every way.

"I'll never be the same, and I'll never look at life the same.

"Unless you can afford to purchase an e-bike that has undergone rigorous testing and safety checks, do not buy one."

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