Lithium-ion batteries have become part of everyday life. They power everything from smartphones and laptops to e-bikes, e-scooters and electric vehicles. But as their use grows across the UK, so does the fire risk associated with them.

New figures reveal that UK fire brigades are now responding to a lithium-ion battery fire roughly every five hours - a rise that is placing increasing pressure on fire and rescue services and raising serious concerns about public safety.

According to data obtained through Freedom of Information requests by insurer QBE Insurance, fire services attended 1,760 lithium-ion battery-related fires in 2025. That equates to almost five incidents every single day and represents a 147% increase compared with figures recorded just three years ago.

E-Bikes driving the biggest rise in incidents

One of the biggest contributors to the increase is the growing number of e-bike fires. The research found that e-bikes accounted for almost one-third of all lithium-ion battery fires nationwide. In 2025 alone, there were 520 fire service callouts linked to e-bike incidents, compared with just 149 in 2022.

London Fire Brigade dealt with nearly half of those incidents, attending 230 e-bike fires in the capital last year. Tragically, five fatalities linked to e-bike fires have been recorded in London over the past three years.

Fire investigators and safety experts are particularly concerned about modified or converted e-bikes, along with counterfeit batteries and chargers sold through online marketplaces. These products are believed to be disproportionately involved in serious fires when compared with certified equipment.

The danger of thermal runaway 

Lithium-ion battery fires behave very differently from conventional fires. If a battery becomes damaged, overheated or incorrectly charged, it can enter a process known as thermal runaway.

During thermal runaway, the temperature inside the battery rapidly escalates, causing the release of flammable and toxic gases under intense pressure. In many cases, the battery can ignite violently, producing flames comparable to a blowtorch and sometimes even exploding.

These fires are extremely difficult to extinguish and can reignite hours after appearing to be under control. Firefighters often require significantly larger volumes of water to cool affected batteries and prevent further reactions.

Fires in homes continuing to rise

Almost half of all lithium-ion battery fires recorded in the UK occurred inside residential properties. Charging habits remain a major concern for fire services. Overnight charging, using incompatible chargers, blocking escape routes with charging devices and storing batteries incorrectly can all increase the risk of fire.

Fire chiefs continue to urge the public to:

• Use only certified batteries and chargers
• Avoid purchasing cheap or counterfeit replacements online
• Never charge batteries overnight or unattended
• Keep charging devices away from exits and escape routes
• Stop using batteries that show signs of damage or overheating

Growing pressure on fire and rescue services

The increasing frequency of lithium-ion battery incidents is also creating operational challenges for fire and rescue services across the UK. The National Fire Chiefs Council has warned that regulation and public guidance have not kept pace with the rapid growth of battery-powered transport and consumer devices.

Meanwhile, the Fire Brigades Union says firefighters need additional investment, training and equipment to safely deal with the emerging risks associated with lithium-ion battery fires, particularly exposure to toxic gases released during combustion.

Disposal risks and waste concerns

Improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries is also becoming a major issue.

Batteries thrown into household bins are increasingly responsible for fires in refuse vehicles and recycling centres. Industry estimates suggest these incidents now cost the UK more than £1 billion annually while also placing waste management workers at serious risk.

Consumers are being reminded that lithium-ion batteries should never be disposed of in general waste. Most supermarkets and recycling centres now provide dedicated battery recycling points for safe disposal.

A challenge that is here to stay

As electric vehicles, e-bikes and portable battery-powered devices continue to become more common, the number of lithium-ion battery fires is unlikely to decrease anytime soon.

For the fire sector, the challenge is no longer emerging - it is already here.

The rise in incidents highlights the urgent need for stronger product safety standards, improved public awareness and continued investment in firefighter training and specialist response capabilities.

With fire services now attending a lithium-ion battery fire every five hours, prevention, education and regulation will play a critical role in reducing risk and protecting lives in the years ahead.

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