Worrying rise in battery related fires in the West Midlands

West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) are urging people to take extra care when purchasing and charging presents this Christmas that contain lithium-ion batteries.

The warning follows a sharp increase in incidents linked to the batteries found in devices such as e-bikes, e-scooters, phones, laptops and vapes.

In 2023, WMFS firefighters responded to 40 incidents involving lithium-ion batteries and by 2024 the number rose to 69.

By 31 October this year incidents rose to 65 - up 6.6 per cent on the same ten months last year, and more than twice as many as in the same period in 2023.

This comes as last year a young couple and their two dogs tragically lost their lives last year in a Coventry house fire started by the battery in a bike converted to an e-bike.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Steve Ball has this message: “Our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of Karlo and Natasha who lost their lives so unnecessarily a year ago.

“As Christmas approaches, we’re asking people to take extra care when buying gifts – and to make sure devices with lithium-ion batteries are charged safely.

"The vast majority of us use lithium-ion batteries and devices safely, day in, day out, but the risks grow as we use them more.

Officer Ball continues: "To help keep people safe we would advise that people always buy devices and chargers from trusted retailers, use the correct charger and never leave batteries on charge overnight.

"When charging batteries make sure you charge on a hard, flat surface, away from anything that could burn and keep escape routes clear - never charge in hallways or on stairs.

"Finally, never bin batteries and always make sure to take them to proper recycling points."

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