The LFB said the rise in battery-related blazes affects a wide range of people but highlighted the role of gig economy companies, urging them to do more to raise awareness among delivery riders about fire risks.

The brigade said it plans to write to Uber Eats, Just Eat and Deliveroo, asking them to share safety advice with workers after a sharp increase in fires linked to faulty e-bikes. If the current trend continues, London could surpass 200 fires in a single year for the first time.

The dangers of lithium-ion batteries have already proved fatal. On 21 June, 30-year-old Eden Abera Siem died following a fire in Wood Green. She was discovered unconscious in a property on Lordship Lane and was rescued by firefighters but later died in hospital. The LFB concluded the blaze was most likely caused by the failure of a charging battery pack for an e-bike.

Siem was the fourth person to die in an e-bike fire in London. In all four fatal cases, the victims were not the owners or users of the bikes involved.

LFB assistant commissioner Pamela Oparaocha said: “Since the beginning of 2023, we have attended a fire, on average, every other day, and some of these fires have destroyed homes and claimed lives.

“We launched our #ChargeSafe campaign in 2023 to highlight the fire risks with e-bikes and e-scooters; however the rising number of incidents we attend clearly demonstrate the urgent need for further awareness to help protect lives and avoid future tragedies.”

The LFB has said many fires are linked to incompatible chargers, modifications, or faulty or counterfeit products bought online, including chargers, lithium batteries and conversion kits. Lithium-ion batteries store large amounts of energy in a small space, which can result in fire or explosion if released in an uncontrolled way.

The brigade has advised government officials to strengthen legislation regulating unsafe or poor-quality batteries and related products sold online.

Electrical Safety First, a charity focused on reducing electrical accidents, has also urged tougher laws. Chief executive Lesley Rudd said: “Strict new safety standards for conversion kits that turn push bikes into e-bikes must also be urgently introduced, alongside tough new laws to clamp down on online marketplace giants whose platforms commonly host the sale of substandard goods.”

The charity also called for third-party certification to ensure e-bike batteries are safe before they can be sold in the UK.

View the source.

Our eNews provides regular insight into industry trends, news headlines, and product and service information. For more articles like this Subscribe to our enews.