UK sees 46% increase in fires related to lithium-ion batteries
Research by business insurer QBE highlighted a significant rise in lithium-ion battery fires, urging better safety measures and education.
www.healthandsafetyinternational.comHere are the latest UK lithium-ion battery fire statistics I can share based on recent reports:
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Fires linked to lithium-ion batteries in the UK were reported at about 4.8 per day in 2025, equating to one fire roughly every five hours. This marks a sharp rise from previous years. [Source: QBE-insured freedom-of-information data summarized by multiple outlets][4][7]
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London Fire Brigade again recorded the highest number of incidents in 2024–2025, with hundreds of lithium-ion battery fires, and other regions such as Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire also reporting substantial counts. The London figure notably topped the national totals in those years.[3][4]
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The overall trend shows a significant year-on-year surge in lithium-ion battery fire incidents, with estimates suggesting increases of around 46–147% over the preceding years depending on the exact period and dataset. Fire services and insurers have called for greater safety awareness and tighter regulation, particularly around charging practices for e-bikes, e-scooters, and other battery-powered devices.[6][7][8]
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A safety alert and related briefings have highlighted that charging lithium-ion devices (including e-bikes, scooters, and power tools) are major contributors to the spike in fires, alongside waste-management battery fires.[5][4]
Illustrative example
- If you want a concrete snapshot: in 2025, UK fire services reportedly responded to about 1,760 lithium-ion battery–related fires, which translates to roughly 4.8 fires per day. London and Lancashire/West Yorkshire were among the most affected regions.[1][3][4]
Notes on sources
- These figures come from freedom-of-information disclosures compiled by insurers (notably QBE) and subsequently reported by trade press and media outlets, with London Fire Brigade and regional services cited for regional breakdowns. For precise counts by fire service and year, the cited sources include QBE press materials and coverage from trade and national news outlets.[7][8][3][4]
Would you like me to pull the most recent official statements from the London Fire Brigade or a specific fire service, or format a concise chart comparing regional counts by year? I can also summarize best practices for reducing lithium-ion battery fire risk during charging and storage.[10]