Fire crews in the West Midlands have issued an urgent safety warning following a worrying surge in fires sparked by lithium-ion batteries, a risk they describe as potentially 'fatal'.
Tragic Incident Highlights Deadly Risk
The stark warning comes a year after a devastating house fire in Coventry claimed the lives of Karlo Bogdan, 24, and Natasha Johnson-Mall, 27, along with their two dogs. Official investigators concluded the blaze was started by a battery from a bike that had been converted into an e-bike. They reported that the batteries ignited and the fire 'rapidly escalated into an intense blaze'.
Alarming Rise in Battery-Related Fires
Statistics from the West Midlands Fire Service reveal a disturbing upward trend. In 2023, the service attended 40 incidents involving lithium-ion batteries. This figure jumped significantly to 69 incidents in 2024. The situation continues to worsen, with 65 fires recorded by October 31 this year alone. This represents a 6.6% increase compared to the same ten-month period in 2023 and is more than double the number from the same timeframe in 2022.
The data shows a particular concern for e-bikes. Fires involving their batteries rose from 6 in 2023 to 13 in 2024. Alarmingly, by the end of October this year, there had already been 16 such fires.
New Campaign Aims to Save Lives
In response to the growing danger, West Midlands Fire Service has launched a new hard-hitting campaign named 'Fast. Fierce. Fatal.' The initiative is designed to educate the public on the serious risks and promote safer practices.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Steve Ball stated: "Our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of Karlo and Natasha who lost their lives so unnecessarily a year ago." He added, "As Black Friday and Christmas approach, we’re asking people to take extra care when buying gifts – and to make sure devices with lithium-ion batteries are charged safely."
Ball emphasised that while most people use these batteries safely every day, the risks increase with greater usage. The campaign will share vital safety advice through the service's website, social media channels, and partner organisations, specifically targeting users of e-bikes and e-scooters.
Fire service safety advice includes:
- Always buy devices and chargers from trusted retailers.
- Use the correct charger and never leave batteries charging overnight.
- Charge on a hard, flat surface, away from anything that could burn.
- Keep escape routes clear - never charge in hallways or on stairs.
- Never throw batteries in the bin; take them to proper recycling points.
