UK firefighters called to one lithium-ion battery fire every five hours | Firefighters
Fire crews across the UK are battling lithium-ion battery fires every five hours as fire chiefs warn public awareness and government regulations have not kept pace with the ubiquity of this new danger.
Lithium-ion batteries power most rechargeable devices, including mobile phones, electric toothbrushes, toys and e-cigarettes, as well as e-bikes, e-scooters and electric vehicles.
Data collected by global business insurer QBE through freedom of information requests reveals fire crews were called to 1,760 fires linked to lithium-ion batteries in 2025; This corresponds to 4.8 fires per day, an increase of 147% in the last three years.
Electric vehicle fires have increased by 133% in the same period, while the number of electric vehicles on UK roads has tripled in the same period.
QBE researchers found that e-bike fires accounted for almost a third of all lithium-ion battery fires nationwide, noting that retrofitted and converted e-bikes were disproportionately involved compared to certified models.
There were 520 calls to fires related to e-bikes in 2025, compared to 149 in 2022. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) dealt with 44% of 230 e-bike fires in the capital last year, with five related deaths in the past three years.
LFB deputy commissioner for prevention Spencer Sutcliff said the brigade remained We are “extremely concerned” about e-bike and e-scooter fires and public awareness was vital.
“We believe regulations can help improve product safety and reduce the likelihood of consumers being exposed to faulty or counterfeit products such as e-bike batteries, chargers and conversion kits in online marketplaces,” he said.
The fire, which destroyed a historic building in Glasgow and forced the closure of Central station, Scotland’s largest railway junction, for two weeks, is believed to have started in a store selling electronic cigarettes powered by lithium-ion batteries.
When mishandled or damaged, these batteries can cause a hazard called thermal runaway, a dangerous chain reaction in which the temperature inside the battery rises uncontrollably, producing a toxic gas that escapes at high pressure, creating a flame like a blowtorch, and exploding.
QBE researchers, who compiled data from 46 of 52 fire brigades contacted in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, also found that almost half (46%) of all lithium-ion fires occurred in people’s homes.
Improper disposal of these batteries, which should not be thrown into an ordinary bin but can be recycled via bins in many supermarkets, has caused serious fires in rubbish trucks and recycling facilities across the UK; In addition, it is estimated to cost more than £1 billion annually and causes staff injuries.
Adrian Simmonds, risk manager at QBE Insurance, called on individuals and businesses to take action to manage the increased risk.
“Thermal runaway caused by these types of batteries burns differently, takes much longer to overcome, and can require up to 10 times more water to retain,” he said. “Awareness of safe charging, storage and disposal is crucial to keeping people and property safe. People should only use certified e-bikes and batteries, charge them away from escape routes and avoid charging items overnight.”
A spokesman for the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said the findings reflected what fire and rescue services were seeing on the ground.
“We are particularly concerned about fires caused by poorly manufactured, modified or converted e-bikes, which cause a disproportionate number of incidents. Many of these fires occur in people’s homes and people die tragically as a result,” the spokesperson said.
“NFCC is working with fire and rescue services, government and partners to improve research, guidance and public awareness, but this is a rapidly evolving area where regulation and guidance have not kept pace with technology. We believe stronger action is needed to ensure industry takes responsibility for product safety and that clear, consistent guidance is available to protect lives and reduce fires.”
The Fire Brigades Union said services across the UK required investment to train and equip firefighters to respond to the risks posed, particularly toxic gases produced by lithium-ion battery fires, which could pose long-term health risks to firefighters and the public.
