FOI Request 2304

Subject: Lithium Ion and Electric Vehicle Fires

Status: Complete

Date received: February 2026

Question Asked:

1. How many fires linked to lithium-ion batteries did you record in the following periods?
   a) 1st January – 31st December 2022
   b) 1st January – 31st December 2023
   c) 1st January – 31st December 2024
   d) 1st January – 31st December 2025

   
   

2. How many fires linked to lithium-ion batteries took place in the following locations in 2024?
   a) Commercial property
   b) House or flat
   c) Outdoors

   
   

3. How many fires linked to lithium-ion batteries took place in the following locations in 2025?
   a) Commercial property
   b) House or flat
   c) Outdoors

   
   

4. How many fatalities as a result of lithium-ion battery fires did you record in the following periods?
   a) 1st January – 31st December 2022
   b) 1st January – 31st December 2023
   c) 1st January – 31st December 2024
   d) 1st January – 31st December 2025

   
   

5. What equipment or firefighting methods are typically used by your fire service to extinguish or control lithium-ion fires?

   a) Standard water hoses/jets

   b) Foam additive hoses

   c) CO2 and/or Dry Powder

   d) Specialist extinguishing agents, if so please specify. For example, encapsulating agents (e.g. F-500EA, LithEx and ColdFire) or shielding coolants (e.g. PTSG Trinity Fire MPF and MPF+)

   e) Other agents or equipment/tools, if so please specify (e.g. water baths)

   
   

6. How many fires involving an electric bike did you record in the following periods?
   a) 1st January – 31st December 2022
   b) 1st January – 31st December 2023
   c) 1st January – 31st December 2024
   d) 1st January – 31st December 2025

   
   

7. How many fires involving an electric bike were from either of the following in 2024?
   a) Converted battery e-bikes
   b) Officially manufactured e-bikes

   
   

8. How many fires involving an electric bike were from either of the following in 2025?
   a) Converted battery e-bikes
   b) Officially manufactured e-bikes

   
   

9. How many fires involving an electric scooter did you record in the following periods?
   a) 1st January – 31st December 2022
   b) 1st January – 31st December 2023
   c) 1st January – 31st December 2024
   d) 1st January – 31st December 2025

   
   

10. How many fires involving an electric car did you record in the following periods?
    a) 1st January – 31st December 2022
    b) 1st January – 31st December 2023
    c) 1st January – 31st December 2024
    d) 1st January – 31st December 2025

    
    

11. How many fires involving an electric mobility scooter that operated using a lithium-ion battery did you record in the following periods?
    a) 1st January – 31st December 2022
    b) 1st January – 31st December 2023
    c) 1st January – 31st December 2024
    d) 1st January – 31st December 2025

Our Response:

Please see our response below to your Freedom of Information Request.

Response to questions 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9, 10 and 11:

Currently the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service Incident Recording System (IRS) has insufficient facilities for the comprehensive recording, and subsequent analysis, of the incidents you have requested. Therefore, due to the specific information asked for, CFRS cannot provide the data requested.

Question 5:

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service typically controls and suppresses lithium-ion battery fires using water sprays and jets to manage heat, prevent fire spread, and reduce temperature. We do not routinely use specialist agents, powders, CO2, or alternative extinguishing media for this purpose.

Outcome: Partial Data Held

FOI responded to within timescales: YES

Further action: NO