FOI Request 2304

Subject: Lithium Ion and Electric Vehicle Fires

Status: In Progress

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:

This Freedom of Information Request in currently in progress.

Outcome:

FOI responded to within timescales:

Further action: