London faces record surge in e-bike and e-scooter fires, prompting regulatory crackdown

Fires involving electric bikes and scooters in London are projected to reach an all-time high this year, leading to new safety measures and calls for stricter regulation following tragic incidents and growing concerns over battery safety.

Fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters in London are on course to reach an unprecedented high this year, underscoring an escalating public safety concern linked to these increasingly popular electric vehicles. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has recorded 165 incidents involving e-bikes and e-scooters up to September 28, 2025, which averages approximately 18 fires per month. Should this trend persist, the capital is expected to surpass 200 such incidents annually for the first time on record.

This surge in fires has had tragic consequences, including the death of Eden Abera Siem, 30, who succumbed to injuries after firefighters rescued her from a blaze believed to have been caused by a battery failure during an e-bike charging event at her home in Wood Green. This incident marked the fourth fatal e-bike fire in London, with a notable pattern that none of the victims owned or used the e-bikes involved, highlighting the indiscriminate dangers posed by these fires.

The London Fire Brigade has emphasised the severe risks posed by fires linked to lithium-ion batteries, which power most e-bikes and e-scooters. Such batteries can ignite rapidly, spreading fire and releasing toxic vapours. Products bought from online marketplaces—including batteries, chargers, and e-bike conversion kits—are often more prone to malfunction due to lax regulation compared to items purchased from traditional retailers. The LFB has called on gig economy delivery companies such as Uber Eats, Just Eat, and Deliveroo to raise awareness among their riders about these fire hazards, and plans to formally request they disseminate safety advice promptly.

In response to the increasing number of incidents, Transport for London (TfL) announced a ban, effective from March 31, 2025, on non-folded e-bikes across most of its transport network. This ban includes conventional e-bikes and those converted from standard bicycles using electronic kits, which TfL’s safety review found carry a higher fire risk than purpose-built e-bikes. Foldable e-bikes, due to their specific design and lower modification risk, are exempt from the ban. This measure aims to safeguard passengers and transport staff from the dangers posed by e-bike battery fires, which have on occasion occurred onboard or at transport facilities.

The LFB’s warnings are underscored by recent tragic events where homes were severely damaged and pets lost due to fires initiated by faulty e-bike and e-scooter batteries. For instance, in early February 2025, one house in West Hampstead was gutted by fire sparked by a charging e-scooter battery, resulting in the death of a dog inside the property. The following day, another fire caused by a battery pack on a converted e-bike devastated a home in Feltham. These incidents highlight the extensive damage such fires can inflict on property and lives.

Safety experts have voiced calls for robust regulatory actions. Lesley Rudd, chief executive of the charity Electrical Safety First, urged the government to take bold steps to introduce third-party certification for e-bike batteries to ensure their safety prior to market sale. She also advocated for stringent new standards for conversion kits and tougher regulations targeting online platforms that facilitate the sale of substandard electrical goods. These interventions are deemed crucial to curb the rising incidence of fires and protect consumers.

The Department for Business and Trade has already launched a public safety campaign encouraging consumers to purchase electrical products from reputable sources. Meanwhile, the London Fire Brigade has been actively working with product safety experts to disseminate #ChargeSafe advice focusing on safe charging and storage practices, particularly in areas with higher occurrences of e-bike fires. This ongoing public education effort seeks to reduce the risk of these fires and protect communities from their devastating consequences.

Together, these developing responses reflect an urgent recognition of the dangers associated with e-bikes and e-scooters, particularly those involving poorly regulated or modified components. With their growing popularity, balanced regulation, public awareness, and industry responsibility will be essential to preventing further harm.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
10

Notes:
The narrative is current, dated October 1, 2025, and reports on recent incidents up to September 28, 2025. No evidence of recycled or outdated content was found. The inclusion of specific dates and recent events suggests a high freshness score. The narrative is based on a press release from the London Fire Brigade, which typically warrants a high freshness score.

Quotes check

Score:
10

Notes:
Direct quotes from London Fire Brigade assistant commissioner Pamela Oparaocha and Electrical Safety First chief executive Lesley Rudd are included. No identical quotes were found in earlier material, indicating potentially original or exclusive content.

Source reliability

Score:
10

Notes:
The narrative originates from The Irish News, a reputable news outlet. The London Fire Brigade and Electrical Safety First are credible organisations, enhancing the reliability of the information presented.

Plausability check

Score:
10

Notes:
The claims about the increase in e-bike and e-scooter fires in London are plausible and supported by recent data. The narrative includes specific details, such as the number of incidents and the involvement of reputable organisations, which adds credibility. The language and tone are consistent with typical news reporting, and there are no signs of sensationalism or off-topic details.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The narrative is current, original, and sourced from reputable organisations. The information is plausible and consistent with recent data, with no signs of disinformation or recycled content.