UK firefighters respond to a lithium-ion battery fire every five hours, data reveals

UK fire crews responded to 1,760 lithium-ion battery incidents in 2025, according to QBE data shared by The Guardian.

E-bikes and electric vehicles are driving much of the rise, with nearly half of the fires occurring in homes.

The trend highlights growing risks from rechargeable batteries and the danger of thermal runaway, faulty or counterfeit products.

Officials are urging safer charging, storage and disposal practices, alongside stronger regulation and public awareness.