Lithium Battery Fires Surge, Sparking Urgent Calls for Safety Overhaul
Fire experts are expressing grave concerns over the escalating hazard posed by lithium-ion batteries, with one professor admitting the issue keeps him awake at night. The ubiquity of these batteries in everyday products, from vapes to e-bikes, is rapidly outpacing public understanding and existing safety regulations, leading to a sharp increase in fire incidents across the UK.
Glasgow Blaze Highlights Immediate Dangers
A devastating fire that ravaged a historic building near Glasgow Central Station, Scotland's largest rail interchange, is believed to have originated in a shop selling vapes powered by lithium-ion batteries. The incident forced the temporary closure of the station, which has since reopened, underscoring the severe disruption such fires can cause. This event serves as a stark reminder of the high hazard associated with these batteries, even if the probability of ignition remains low.
Alarming Rise in Fire Incidents Nationwide
Recent data reveals a dramatic surge in battery-related fires. In London, firefighters respond to an e-bike or e-scooter fire every other day, with 206 such incidents recorded in 2025 alone, compared to just 12 in 2019. Overall, London Fire Brigade attended 521 related fires in 2025, a significant jump from 80 in 2019. These fires have had a devastating impact, resulting in five fatalities over the past three years, none of whom owned the e-bikes involved.
In Scotland, Freedom of Information data shows 69 lithium battery-related fires in 2025, up from 20 in 2019, including incidents in homes, hospitals, and prisons. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported in Scotland to date. The incorrect disposal of these batteries, which should be recycled at designated bins in supermarkets, has also led to serious fires in bin lorries and recycling plants, costing an estimated £1 billion annually and causing injuries to staff.
Experts Warn of Unprecedented Hazards
Paul Christensen, a professor of pure and applied electrochemistry at the University of Newcastle, emphasized that while fire probability is low, the hazard is extremely high. Guillermo Rein, a professor of fire science at Imperial College London, described lithium battery fires as a new technological hazard that breaches traditional fire protection layers. He noted that these fires develop, are detected, and suppressed differently from conventional fires, making them particularly dangerous in homes, businesses, and public buildings.
Lithium-ion batteries are found in a wide range of products, including mobile phones, tablets, laptops, electric toothbrushes, tools, toys, vapes, e-bikes, e-scooters, and electric vehicles. When used incorrectly or damaged, they can undergo thermal runaway—a dangerous chain reaction where temperatures rise uncontrollably, producing toxic gases and explosive flames.
Calls for Stricter Regulations and Public Education
The National Fire Chiefs Council has raised alarms that the rapid adoption of lithium-ion batteries is outstripping safety standards. Richard Field, the council's electrical safety lead, warned that these batteries can fail catastrophically and called for stronger product safety rules, tighter oversight of online sales, and effective enforcement to ensure robust safety requirements.
Dan Marchant, director of Vape Club and a founding member of the UK Vaping Industry Association, advocated for a robust licensing scheme under the proposed tobacco and vapes bill, emphasizing the need for shops to demonstrate compliance with age verification, product legality, recycling systems, and electrical safety.
Public education is crucial, according to Christensen, who noted that lithium batteries have permeated society faster than the understanding of their risks. He criticized a reluctance at government levels to acknowledge and address these hazards. Rein echoed this sentiment, pointing to a lack of leadership in the battery industry and suggesting that regulation may be necessary to mitigate the shocking safety gaps.
As fire services grapple with this growing threat, urgent action is needed to enhance safety measures, improve public awareness, and implement stricter regulations to prevent further tragedies and economic losses.
