They’re in our phones, laptops, e-bikes, electric cars, and countless other devices we use daily.
Lithium-ion batteries have revolutionised our modern world, but they’re also creating an increasingly dangerous fire risk that many people simply don’t understand.
If you think battery fires are rare or harmless, the latest UK statistics might shock you.
Let’s explore the alarming rise of lithium-ion battery fires across the UK, examine real incidents that have made headlines, and discover the specialist equipment needed to tackle these unique blazes.
The Numbers Paint a Stark Picture
The statistics surrounding lithium-ion battery fires in the UK are nothing short of alarming.
Even more concerning, UK fire brigades are now responding to more than three lithium-ion battery fires each day.
To put this into perspective, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) receives a callout to an e-bike or e-scooter fire once every two days, a 60% increase on 2022.
Key UK Statistics:
- London Fire Brigade recorded the highest number of lithium-ion fires last year (378), followed by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (70) and Avon Fire and Rescue Service, which covers Bath and Bristol (57)
- Three people lost their lives in fires believed to have been caused by a failure of an e-bike lithium-ion battery, while 51 people were injured
- Research found that in the three months of 2023 alone, fires from lithium-ion batteries killed four people in the UK
- 48 per cent of all waste fires now cost the UK economy £158m per annum
What Makes Lithium-Ion Battery Fires So Dangerous?
Definition: Lithium-ion battery fires occur when these energy storage devices experience thermal runaway – a condition where the battery generates heat faster than it can dissipate it, leading to fire and potential explosion.
Unlike traditional fires, lithium-ion battery blazes present unique challenges:
Thermal Runaway: Once a lithium-ion battery starts overheating, it can trigger a chain reaction where neighbouring cells also overheat, creating an unstoppable cascade of fire and toxic gas release.
Toxic Gas Release: Burning lithium-ion batteries release hydrogen fluoride and other toxic gases that can be lethal in enclosed spaces.
Re-ignition Risk: Even after appearing extinguished, these batteries can reignite hours or even days later without warning.
Water Reactivity: Traditional water-based firefighting can actually worsen lithium-ion fires by conducting electricity and potentially causing explosions.
Real UK Incidents: When the Statistics Become Reality
London’s E-Bike Explosion Caught on Camera
A newly-released video by London Fire Brigade shows just how dangerous it can be when a faulty e-bike catches fire and explodes. The footage from last weekend, the second such incident in as many weeks, highlights the risks of lithium batteries on e-bikes and e-scooters.
The dramatic footage, available on London Fire Brigade’s safety channels, shows an e-bike suddenly erupting into flames and exploding with devastating force. This incident prompted urgent safety warnings and became a powerful educational tool demonstrating the explosive potential of lithium-ion battery failures.
YouTube Resources: London Fire Brigade regularly publishes safety videos about e-bike fires on their official YouTube channel, including real footage of battery explosions and safety demonstrations. These videos serve as stark reminders of how quickly these incidents can escalate.
The Battersea Balcony Incident
Last Friday, the Brigade received 45 calls to an e-scooter alight on an eight-floor balcony in Battersea. Then in the early hours of Monday, five people escaped a house fire in Hackney caused by an e-bike battery failure. There were around 10 other e-bike fires over a five-day period.
This cluster of incidents in London highlights how commonplace these fires have become, with multiple emergency responses required within just days of each other.
The Escape Route Fire
The fire is believed to have been caused by the failure of a lithium battery in an e-bike which was being stored on an escape route (hallway). There was a 78 per cent increase in e-bike fires in 2023 compared to 2022, with 155 e-bike fires along with 28 e-scooter fires.
This incident particularly demonstrates the danger of storing e-bikes in hallways or escape routes, where a fire can trap residents and prevent safe evacuation.
Rising Trend Across London
London Fire Brigade attended 143 e-bike fires along with 36 blazes involving e-scooters in recent reporting periods, while fire investigators issue an urgent warning following a spike in “ferocious” fires caused by electric bike and scooter batteries.
The Challenge of Fighting Lithium-Ion Battery Fires
Traditional fire extinguishers are largely ineffective against lithium-ion battery fires, and some can actually make the situation worse. Standard water, foam, CO2, and dry powder extinguishers are not designed to handle the unique characteristics of thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries.
Why Traditional Extinguishers Fail
Water: Can conduct electricity if the battery is still connected to power, and doesn’t effectively cool the internal battery cells where thermal runaway occurs.
Foam: Standard foam extinguishers aren’t designed for the high temperatures and toxic gas production of lithium-ion fires.
CO2: May temporarily suppress flames but doesn’t cool the battery cells, allowing re-ignition once the CO2 dissipates.
Dry Powder: Creates a mess and doesn’t address the root cause of thermal runaway within the battery cells.
Specialist Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Extinguishers
The unique nature of lithium-ion battery fires has led to the development of specialist suppression agents specifically designed for these incidents.
F-500 Encapsulator Agent
F-500 is a multiple-purpose firefighting agent which is ideal for Class A fire. It is the only agent proven to extinguish lithium-ion batteries, without reignition.
How F-500 Works:
- This li-ion fire extinguisher delivers suppressant as a mist which creates a film over the fire. This film dries fast to create a non-flammable barrier starving the fire of oxygen
- F-500 is completely fluorine-free, contains no PFOA, PFOS or any fluorine ingredients
- Water based fire extinguishing agents had the best effect on the suppression of lithium battery fires
Available F-500 Extinguisher Sizes
4-Litre Units: The LI-ion Fire Solution extinguisher is a water type fire extinguisher with the F-500 Encapsulator agent. This Extinguisher has been manufactured and approved to Australian Standard AS/NZS1841.2 and tested as per the requirement of AS1850 for class A, B and F fires.
6-Litre Units: Burning lithium ion batteries, rubber tyres, or plastics require a particularly effective fire-suppression agent to fight fires successfully. The stored pressure extinguisher from range WD F-500 is perfect solution.
9-Litre and Larger Units: Available for higher-risk environments and larger installations.
AVD Technology
A high-performance 6 litre fire extinguisher designed to combat lithium battery fires fast and Our 25 litre trolley fire extinguisher unit provides effective lithium battery fire protection.
Complete Fire Suppression Kits
The kit includes a highly effective extinguisher to tackle lithium-ion battery fires at their source, ensuring quick suppression before the situation escalates. Once the fire is controlled, the included suppression bag provides a safe and secure way to contain and remove the extinguished device.
These comprehensive kits address both immediate fire suppression and safe disposal of the compromised battery, reducing the risk of re-ignition.
Where Specialist Extinguishers Are Essential
F-500 Fire Extinguishers are ideal for Class A and Lithium Ion Battery Fires, and can be used to protect a variety of different locations, from data centers, EV charging stations to wind farms, Tesla & Electric car showrooms, Electric Vehicles: hybrid & electric cars, mobility scooters, golf courses, and other facilities.
High-Risk Locations Include:
- Electric vehicle charging stations and showrooms
- Data centres with backup battery systems
- Renewable energy installations (solar and wind farms)
- Warehouses storing electronic devices
- Apartment buildings with e-bike storage
- Commercial premises with UPS systems
- Manufacturing facilities using lithium-ion powered equipment
Prevention: The First Line of Defence
While having the right extinguisher is crucial, prevention remains the best strategy. The London Fire Brigade’s #ChargeSafe campaign provides excellent guidance:
Safe Charging Practices:
- Always use the manufacturer’s charger
- Never leave devices charging unattended overnight
- Charge in a safe location away from escape routes
- Don’t charge on beds, sofas, or other soft furnishings
- Stop using batteries that show signs of damage, swelling, or overheating
Storage Safety:
- Store e-bikes and scooters away from escape routes
- Keep devices in areas with good ventilation
- Avoid storing in direct sunlight or near heat sources
- Consider fireproof storage solutions for high-risk environments
The Cost of Inaction
A European study suggests that by 2025, 78 million Lithium-ion batteries could be discarded daily worldwide. As the number of lithium-ion devices continues to grow exponentially, so too does the fire risk.
The economic impact is already substantial, with waste fires alone costing the UK economy £158 million annually. When you factor in property damage, business interruption, and the human cost of injuries and fatalities, the true price of lithium-ion battery fires becomes staggering.
Video Resources and Educational Content
London Fire Brigade YouTube Channel: Features real footage of e-bike explosions, safety demonstrations, and expert interviews about lithium-ion fire risks.
#ChargeSafe Campaign Videos: Educational content showing proper charging techniques and what not to do when using lithium-ion devices.
Fire Service Training Videos: Professional footage demonstrating the difference between traditional fire suppression methods and specialist lithium-ion fire extinguishers.
Manufacturer Safety Videos: Many battery and device manufacturers now produce safety videos specifically addressing fire risks and prevention measures.
Expert Perspectives and Industry Response
Fire safety professionals across the UK are increasingly concerned about the rapid rise in lithium-ion battery fires. A man who escaped a blaze at his flat has backed fire investigators in issuing an urgent warning following a spike in “ferocious” fires caused by electric bike and scooter batteries.
The term “ferocious” used by fire investigators reflects the intense, unpredictable nature of these fires and their resistance to traditional suppression methods.
Industry Innovation: The development of F-500 and other specialist suppression agents represents a critical step forward in fire safety technology, specifically designed to address the unique challenges posed by lithium-ion battery fires.
Looking to the Future
As electric vehicles become mainstream and renewable energy storage systems proliferate, lithium-ion battery fire risk will only continue to grow. They have recently issued enforcement action on UPP e-bike batteries. These batteries have been linked to a number of fires across England. Consumers are being advised not to use the battery and contact the seller for further redress.
Regulatory Response: Authorities are beginning to take action against dangerous battery products, but consumer awareness and proper fire protection remain crucial.
Technology Development: Ongoing research into safer battery chemistries and improved fire suppression methods offers hope for reducing future risks.
The Bottom Line: Knowledge and Preparation Save Lives
Lithium-ion battery fires represent a growing and serious threat across the UK. With UK fire brigades now responding to more than three lithium-ion battery fires each day, this is no longer a rare occurrence – it’s a daily reality for emergency services.
The combination of rising incident numbers, fatal outcomes, and the unique challenges these fires present makes understanding and preparing for lithium-ion battery fires essential for anyone who uses these devices – which means virtually everyone.
Key Takeaways:
- Traditional fire extinguishers are largely ineffective against lithium-ion battery fires
- Specialist F-500 and AVD technology extinguishers are specifically designed for these incidents
- Prevention through safe charging and storage practices remains the best defence
- Professional fire suppression kits should be considered for high-risk environments
- Educational resources, including dramatic video footage, are available to help understand the risks
Whether you’re a homeowner with e-bikes, a business owner with electric vehicle charging stations, or simply someone who wants to be prepared, understanding lithium-ion battery fire risks and having appropriate suppression equipment could literally save lives and property.
The statistics don’t lie – these fires are increasing rapidly and claiming lives. But with the right knowledge, equipment, and precautions, we can significantly reduce the risks and protect what matters most.
Remember: If you encounter a lithium-ion battery fire, evacuate immediately and call the fire service. These fires require professional expertise and specialist equipment to handle safely. Your life is always more valuable than any device or property.
