UK E-Bike Fires Leave Trail of Death, Injuries

UK E-Bike Fires Leave Trail of Death, Injuries

A growing fire risk linked to e-bikes, e-scooters and their batteries has left a grim toll across the United Kingdom.

At least 18 people have died and nearly 700 others have been injured in fires involving the vehicles and their batteries between 2019 and 2025, according to data obtained by BBC Verify.

Fire and rescue services recorded more than 2,000 related incidents during the period, with the number rising each year.

Almost half of the fires occurred in homes or garages, raising concerns about how quickly battery fires can trap people inside buildings.

Battery-related incidents alone jumped from 32 in 2019 to 605 in 2025.

The London Fire Brigade has warned of the growing danger, particularly from second-hand e-bikes and e-scooters and vehicles modified with parts purchased online.

Assistant Commissioner Pam Oparaocha said many of the fires attended by the brigade involved second-hand vehicles or bikes that had been modified.

She urged consumers to be cautious about where they purchase the vehicles and the components used with them.

Most e-bikes and e-scooters are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which can store large amounts of energy in a relatively small space.

Experts warn that damaged, faulty or overcharged batteries can release that energy violently, producing intense flames and burning debris.

Dr Simon Jones of the University of Warwick said a battery fire could spread through a room within seconds, potentially cutting off escape routes.

He also warned that burning batteries can release toxic fumes capable of causing serious harm.

Jahmell Campbell, 24, experienced the danger firsthand when an e-scooter caught fire at his grandmother’s home in London.

Campbell said the scooter suddenly burst into flames near the front door, leaving the family unable to use their normal escape route.

He jumped through a window, while his father helped his grandmother out through the same opening.

His grandmother suffered minor injuries, but the fire destroyed the flat where she had lived for more than 20 years.

Other families have suffered fatal consequences.

Eight-year-old Luke Albiston-O’Donnell from Birkenhead died in 2024 after inhaling toxic fumes from a house fire caused by an e-bike battery that was charging.

In 2023, 28-year-old Mohsin Janjua from Bradford also died following a fire involving an e-bike conversion kit bought online from China.

Investigators concluded that a catastrophic battery failure was more likely than not to have caused the fire.

Since 2023, coroners have issued at least five reports highlighting the dangers posed by lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters and calling for stronger public safety measures.

The Bicycle Association has meanwhile warned that the growing availability of cheap and potentially unsafe products online is making the problem harder to control.

Steve Garidis of the association said illegal and unsafe products sold through online marketplaces could expose unsuspecting buyers to serious risks.

The UK government has warned that batteries can become dangerous when they fail safety standards, are damaged, modified or paired with incompatible chargers.

Under its “Buy Safe, Be Safe” campaign, consumers are advised to check for recognised UKCA or CE safety markings before buying e-bikes and e-scooters.

The government is also strengthening the responsibilities of online marketplaces and working with local authorities to identify and remove unsafe products from sale.