E-bikes London's fastest growing fire risk, says fire service

A fire in Whitechapel was believed to have been caused by the failure of a lithium battery in an e-bike

E-bikes and e-scooters remain the capital's fastest growing fire risk, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) has said.

LFB said there was a 78% increase in e-bike fires in 2023 compared to 2022, with 155 e-bike fires and 28 e-scooter fires recorded last year.

Three people died in the fires and about 60 people were hurt.

The most recent fire believed to have been caused by the failure of a lithium battery in an e-bike happened at a flat in Whitechapel early on Wednesday.

About 40 firefighters were called to the fire and two people were rescued by firefighters via ladders.

• Fears raised over growing risk of e-bike fires

• 40% of e-bike fires from conversion kits - LFB

The brigade has warned e-bike users to check their batteries after battery packs were officially classed as "dangerous" products by the UK's regulatory body.

'Enforcement action'

In January, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) announced it was taking enforcement action against the manufacturer of the UPP battery.

Its products were linked to a number of fires in the UK.

A UPP battery caught fire in Kensington on 26 January

Five online marketplaces have been issued with Withdrawal Notices, which require them to stop supplying the UPP battery.

The Withdrawal Notice has also been issued to 20 sellers directly and the China-based manufacturer.

LFB's assistant commissioner for fire safety, Charlie Pugsley, said: "The recent enforcement action taken by the Office for Product Safety and Standards is a welcome step towards reducing the risk of customers being exposed to dangerous products.

The LFB said there was a 78% increase in e-bike fires in 2023 compared to 2022

"The lithium batteries that power these vehicles have failed catastrophically and caused devastating fires.

"We're asking people to check whether they have a UPP battery at home. If you do, stop using it right away, and contact the seller.

Graham Russell, chief executive of OPSS, said: "We consider these UPP batteries to be dangerous, and that is why we are taking this action to stop them being supplied."

The manufacturer of UPP batteries in China was contacted for comment.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail]