A FAMILY had to evacuate from their home after an e-bike caught fire.

Firefighters rushed to the scene of the blaze on Mansfield Road in Poole after it received a report of a property fire. 

Three fire engines responded to the call where an e-bike was found on fire on the ground floor of the property.

The family inside managed to escape the building which was filling with toxic smoke, the fire service said.

The fire service said properly working fire alarms alerted the family to the fire and allowed them time to move to safety.

It comes after the fire service issued warnings over the dangers e-bikes pose as a fire risk.

In April there were two fires over one weekend, one of which caused significant damage to a house.

In June of last year, an inferno ripped through three floors of a home on Portland which was believed to have also been caused by an e-bike.

A brave member of the public managed to rescue a dog which was inside the house at the time of the fire.

A spokesperson for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called to a property on Mansfield Road, Poole on Saturday, November 9 with reports of a property fire. 

"Three fire engines were mobilised from Poole, Westbourne and Redhill Park and on arrival found an e-bike alight on the ground floor of the property. 

"The bike was removed from the building to make safe and the family were checked over by crews.

"Thankfully the property was fitted with working smoke alarms which alerted the occupants and they managed to evacuate the building safely prior to our arrival.

"If you own an e-bike or e-scooter, never leave the battery to charge while you are asleep or away from the home."