Fast. Fierce. Fatal. campaign highlights dangers of fires from lithium-ion batteries

West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) launched the Fast. Fierce. Fatal campaign after seeing an uptick in fires linked to batteries in devices such as e-bikes, e-scooters, phones, laptops and vapes.

WMFS firefighters responded to 69 incidents involving lithium-ion batteries last year, up from 40 in 2023. These included a young couple who died in a Coventry house fire started by the battery in a bike converted to an e-bike.

There have been such 65 incidents so far this year – and WMFS fears that the Christmas season may bring yet more fires linked to charging lithium-ion batteries, unless more people are aware of their risks.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Steve Ball said: “As Black Friday and Christmas approach, 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.”

The campaign explains that most rechargeable devices have a lithium-ion battery inside. Although the risk of a good quality lithium-ion battery failing is very low, even a well-maintained battery can fail unexpectedly.

Temperatures inside a lithium-ion battery can reach hundreds of degrees, hotter than a pizza oven, if battery cells overheat – in a phenomenon known as ‘thermal runway’.

Where you keep lithium-ion batteries or devices powered by them, especially when they’re on charge, significantly affects fire risk.

“Keep them away from anything that could catch fire and burn. Somewhere cool and dry is best,” advises the campaign.

“Many people don’t realise they already own and use them daily, and that they could be engaging in dangerous purchase, charging and storage behaviours.”

Key messages of the Fast. Fierce. Fatal. campaign include:

• Always buy devices and chargers from trusted retailers
• Use the correct charger and never leave batteries on charge overnight
• Charge on a hard, flat surface, away from anything that could burn
• Keep escape routes clear - never charge in hallways or on stairs
• Never bin batteries; take them to proper recycling points.

FAST: they can start suddenly, often without warning, and spread within seconds

FIERCE: such fires burn at extreme temperatures. They release toxic fumes and explosive vapours, and can quickly fill a home with flames

FATAL: People have died in such fires, typically with little chance to escape.

To download campaign assets and for more information visit the WMFS website here