UK fire brigades tackle three lithium-ion battery fires daily in 2024

Reports of fires related to lithium-ion batteries surged by 93% between 2022 and 2024 according to data from UK fire services acquired by QBE through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.

According to government figures, 11 people lost their lives in 2023 to fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters, and hundreds more have been injured by fires caused by lithium-ion batteries.

^{Source: QBE [https://qbeeurope.com/news-and-events/press-releases/fires-caused-by-lithium-ion-batteries-double-in-two-years/]}

Lithium-ion batteries can be found in most rechargeable devices, including the following:

• E-bikes

• E-scooters

• Electric cars

• Mobility scooters

• Vaping devices

• Smart phones

• Laptops

• Tablets

• Smartwatches

• Portable power packs

Lithium-ion battery fires are very different from other everyday fires. Due to a chemical reaction, they burn extremely hot and fast, with average temperatures between 700°C and 1000°C. They spread rapidly and can be very difficult to put out and even reignite hours or even days later.

These fires also release dangerous gases, including carbon monoxide and hydrogen fluoride, making them a serious hazard to anyone in the vicinity.

The ban of single-use and disposable vapes in the UK, which comes into effect 1^st June, may help to reduce some of these battery-related fires , but there are plenty of other electronics that still present serious risks.

What causes lithium-ion battery fires?

Lithium-ion batteries usually ignite for the following reasons:

• Damage to the battery

• Exposure to extreme temperatures

• Overcharging

• Manufacturing defects

The rise in popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters has been a particular cause for concern. QBE’s research reveals a 100% increase in fires related to e-bikes since 2022, with fires breaking out due to faulty and counterfeit products as well as improper storage and charging.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards has also issued a warning for UPP (unit power pack) batteries used in e-bikes, which have been linked to multiple serious fires.

If you have an e-bike that uses U004 or U004-1 model batteries, official advice is to stop using it immediately, do not charge the battery, and take it to your local household recycling centre to be safely disposed of.

To minimise the risk of fires caused be an e-bike or e-scooter, follow safety guidance from the National Fire Chiefs Council.

What to do with an electronic fire

Electronic fires, especially those caused by lithium-ion batteries, can be extremely dangerous and you shouldn’t try to tackle one on your own.

Because lithium-ion battery fires can produce their own oxygen during thermal runaway, smothering the fire isn’t likely to work to put it out. Even water might not be effective enough to stop it from spreading.

Do not attempt to put out anything larger than a small fire if caused by a lithium-ion battery. These kinds of fires can be incredibly dangerous and difficult to control. Instead, you should call 999 and evacuate the building as soon as possible.

The best way to put out a lithium-ion battery fire is with an AVD fire extinguisher, which is specifically designed for these types of fires. If you have a lot of rechargeable electronics in your home or place of work and you think you may be at risk, then it may be wise to invest in one or two of these extinguishers in case of emergency.

However, most importantly, to prepare for a possible fire, you should check that you have working fire alarms and more than one unobstructed way to exit the building.

How to prevent lithium-ion battery fires

Improper storage and disposal of electronics are a common cause of fires. Electronics that use lithium-ion batteries should always be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and flammable materials.

Do not leave electronics to charge and look out for warning signs of a failing battery, which includes, bulging or swelling, and being hot to the touch.

It’s also a good idea to store them in a well-ventilated container to avoid them getting damaged, which is oftentimes what causes them to combust.

Do not throw devices with lithium-ion batteries in the rubbish or your standard recycling bins. If crushed or damaged, these batteries can ignite and cause dangerous fires.

You can safely dispose of your batteries and rechargeable electronics at local household waste recycling centres.

If you are buying a new electronic from a UK retailer, you can give them your old one on a ‘like-for-like basis’. This is a legal requirement, whether you buy the item online or in store.

The impact on insurance

If a fire is caused by negligence or counterfeit or modified electronics, your home insurance coverage may be affected.

If you modify an e-bike or e-scooter in a way that breaches UK and European safety standards or if you are negligent with your electronics – leaving a vape on a hot radiator, for example – and it causes a fire, insurers may consider you at least partially responsible. That means a home insurance claim could be delayed or even rejected altogether.