UK Lithium-Ion Battery Fires Surge 147%: Firefighters Respond to One Blaze Every Five Hours
Fire brigades across the United Kingdom are tackling lithium-ion battery fires at a rate of one every five hours, according to alarming new data that reveals a 147% surge in incidents over the past three years. The figures, obtained by global business insurer QBE through freedom of information requests, show that brigades responded to 1,760 battery-linked fires in 2025 alone — equating to nearly five callouts per day.
The surge is fuelling urgent calls from fire chiefs for tougher government regulation and greater public awareness, as the batteries — which power everything from mobile phones and vapes to ebikes, e-scooters, and electric vehicles — become increasingly ubiquitous in homes, workplaces, and public spaces. The data, collated from 46 of the 52 fire brigades contacted across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, paints a stark picture of a growing hazard that has outpaced safety measures.
Context: Why Lithium-Ion Battery Fires Are a Growing Threat
The Scale of the Problem
The 1,760 incidents recorded in 2025 represent a dramatic escalation from 2022, when just 712 such fires were reported. Electric vehicle fires specifically rose by 133% over the same period, though the number of EVs on UK roads tripled, suggesting that per-vehicle fire rates have actually declined — but absolute numbers remain concerning.
However, a disproportionate threat comes from ebikes. QBE researchers found that ebike fires accounted for nearly a third of all lithium-ion battery fires nationally, with 520 callouts in 2025 compared to just 149 in 2022. London Fire Brigade (LFB) dealt with 44% of these — 230 ebike fires in the capital alone last year — and reported five related fatalities in the past three years.
The Dangers of Thermal Runaway
The fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish because of a phenomenon called thermal runaway — a dangerous chain reaction where the internal temperature of a battery rises uncontrollably, producing toxic gas that vents at high pressure, creating a blowtorch-like flame, and often causing explosions. Temperatures can reach anywhere from 390 degrees Fahrenheit (199°C) at the onset to as high as 1,800°F (982°C).
Standard firefighting methods like water are ineffective and can even make things worse. As Sublette County Unified Fire Deputy Chief Bob Kladianos explained in a separate incident in Wyoming, “Water is not an extinguishing agent for these batteries. A bucket of water would actually retain the heat, and it doesn’t control the chemical chain reactions.” Fire crews often use foam blankets to smother the flames and thermal scanners to monitor cooling.
Recent Incidents Highlight the Risks
A blaze that devastated a historic building in Glasgow in March 2026 — forcing the two-week closure of Central station, Scotland’s largest rail interchange — is believed to have started in a shop selling vapes, which are powered by lithium-ion batteries. The fire caused extensive damage to the structure and disrupted rail services across the country.
In the United States, similar incidents have been making headlines. In Del City, Oklahoma, fire crews responded to a warehouse fire on May 5, 2026, that started from a pallet of lithium-ion batteries at a recycling facility. The chemicals were so toxic that firefighters had to be decontaminated and their gear sent for special cleaning.
“These lithium-ion batteries essentially create their own heat … they’re very dangerous. They can spontaneously combust,” said Scott Douglas with the Oklahoma City Fire Department.
A Wyoming couple narrowly escaped injury when a lithium-ion battery they were charging swelled, smoked, and burst into flames in their home. Jack Morey Jr., a volunteer firefighter, managed to smother the battery with a towel and toss it outside onto concrete. “The flames, my God, I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “It just blew up and shot flames I’d say about a foot up.”
The Role of Counterfeit and Retrofitted Products
Fire chiefs are particularly concerned about the role of retrofitted and converted ebikes, which appear to be disproportionately involved in fires compared to certified models. Deputy Commissioner for Prevention at London Fire Brigade, Spencer Sutcliff, said the brigade remained “extremely concerned” about ebike and e-scooter fires.
“We believe regulation can help improve product safety and reduce the chance of consumers being exposed on online marketplaces to faulty or counterfeit products such as ebike batteries, chargers and conversion kits,” he said.
The QBE data confirms that unregulated conversion kits — which allow consumers to turn standard bicycles into electric ones — are a significant risk factor. These kits often use low-quality batteries and chargers that lack safety certifications.
Public Safety Warnings
In response to the rising tide of incidents, local fire and emergency services are issuing safety advisories. Rockland County Fire and Emergency Services in New York, for example, recently released a public service announcement urging residents to:
- Always use the charger that came with the device
- Avoid charging batteries overnight or when no one is home
- Keep batteries away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight
- Never charge devices on beds, couches, or other flammable surfaces
- Stop using batteries that are damaged, overheating, or producing unusual odors
- Charge batteries in a well-ventilated area away from exits
These guidelines are echoed by UK fire services, who stress that prevention is the best defence.
Perspective: Broader Implications and What This Changes
The Regulatory Gap
The rapid growth of lithium-ion battery fires exposes a significant gap between technological adoption and safety regulation. While the UK has seen a sharp increase in the use of ebikes, e-scooters, and other battery-powered devices, manufacturing standards and consumer protections have not kept pace. Fire chiefs argue that stricter oversight of online marketplaces — where counterfeit and substandard batteries are commonly sold — is essential.
QBE’s data underscores the urgency. Ebike fires alone have more than tripled in three years. With the number of electric vehicles on the road also climbing, the absolute number of fires is likely to continue rising unless preventative measures are implemented.
The Challenge for Firefighters
Lithium-ion battery fires pose unique challenges for fire crews. The toxic fumes and intense heat require specialised equipment and tactics. Decontamination procedures, such as those used in the Oklahoma warehouse fire, are becoming more common. Firefighters now regularly use thermal imaging cameras to monitor battery temperatures long after the visible flames are out, as batteries can reignite hours or even days later.
Consumer Responsibility and Education
While regulation is critical, public education remains a key line of defence. Many consumers are unaware of the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries — such as the danger of using incompatible chargers or charging batteries on soft surfaces that trap heat. The Wyoming incident, where a couple quickly recognised the danger and acted appropriately because one was a volunteer firefighter, highlights how knowledge can save lives.
“A lot of people would have thrown water on it or whatever,” Morey said. “But I knew better than to do that.”
The Road Ahead
As the UK and other nations grapple with the implications, the conversation is shifting from acceptance of the technology to demanding accountability. In the UK, fire safety groups are calling for mandatory certification for all lithium-ion batteries sold online, a ban on the sale of unapproved conversion kits, and public awareness campaigns similar to those for smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
In the US, similar debates are unfolding. The Oklahoma City fire department’s handling of the warehouse blaze — using foam to smother the fire and requiring firefighters to be decontaminated — illustrates the resource-intensive nature of these incidents. In Wyoming, the Sublette County Fire Department now uses thermal scanners routinely.
A Global Phenomenon
The wave of lithium-ion battery fires is not confined to the UK. From warehouse blazes in Oklahoma to home fires in Wyoming, the pattern is the same: these batteries, when damaged, defective, or improperly used, can turn everyday devices into fire hazards in seconds. The QBE data provides a snapshot of the UK’s experience, but it reflects a global trend as the world becomes more reliant on portable, rechargeable power.
Fire services are adapting, but as the number of devices grows, so does the risk. The key message from fire chiefs is clear: treat lithium-ion batteries with respect, use certified products, and never compromise on safety.
For more on regulatory developments, see our report on Trump Signs Off on Plan to Fire FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, WSJ Reports. In a different arena, the entertainment world saw Sabrina Carpenter’s Double-Decker Heels Steal the Spotlight at Broadway Show.
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