399 02 25 – Lithium Battery Fires (March 2025)

Date of Request

20/02/2025

Request

Good morning,

I am writing to you under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, on behalf of global insurer …, to request the following information from the Fire Authority. Please may you provide me with responses to the questions below.

If possible, please provide the information in the Excel spreadsheet attached. If you are unable to answer any questions, please complete the questionnaire as best as possible and share any available relevant data.

  1. How many fires linked to lithium-ion batteries did you record in the following periods?
  1. 1st Jan – 31st December 2022
  2. 1st Jan – 31st December 2023
  3. 1st Jan – 31st December 2024
  1. How many fires linked to lithium-ion batteries took place in the following locations in 2024; commercial property, house or flat, outdoors?
  1. Commercial property:
  2. House or flat:
  3. Outdoors:
  1. How many fatalities as a result of lithium-ion fires did you record in the following periods?
  1. 1st Jan – 31st December 2022:
  2. 1st Jan – 31st December 2023:
  3. 1st Jan – 31st December 2024:
  1. How many fires involving an electric bike did you record in the following periods?
  1. 1st Jan – 31st December 2022:
  2. 1st Jan – 31st December 2023:
  3. 1st Jan – 31st December 2024:
  1. How many fires involving an electric bike were from either of the following in 2024?
    1. Converted battery e-bikes:
    2. Officially manufactured e-bikes:
  1. How many e-bike fires from 1st Jan to 31 Dec 2024 were caused for the following reasons?

a) Manufacturing defect

b) overcharging

c) physical damage post-purchase

d) battery modification

  1. What is the average financial cost for your fire service to suppress an e-bike fire?
    1. £0 – £999
    2. £1000 – £4999
    3. £5,000- 9,999
    4. £10,000 +
  1. What is the average length of time to suppress an e-bike fire?
    1. 0-1 hour
    2. 1-5 hours
    3. 6-10 hours
    4. 10+ hours
  1. How many fires involving an electric scooter did you record in the following periods?
    1. 1st Jan – 31st December 2022:
    2. 1st Jan – 31st December 2023:
    3. 1st Jan – 31st December 2024:
  2. How many fires involving an electric car did you record in the following periods?
    1. 1st Jan – 31st December 2022:
    2. 1st Jan – 31st December 2023:
    3. 1st Jan – 31st December 2024:
  1. What is the average length of time to suppress an electric car fire?
    1. 0-1 hour
    2. 1-5 hours
    3. 6-10 hours
    4. 10+ hours
  1. How many fires involving an electric mobility scooter did you record in the following periods?
    1. 1st Jan – 31st December 2022:
    2. 1st Jan – 31st December 2023:
    3. 1st Jan – 31st December 2024:
  1. How many fires involving an electric bus/ coach did you record in the following periods?
    1. 1st Jan – 31st December 2022:
    2. 1st Jan – 31st December 2023:
    3. 1st Jan – 31st December 2024:

If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact me via email or phone and I will be very happy to clarify what I am asking for and discuss the request.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to your response.

Kind regards,

Response

Hi

We thank you for your request for information, which has been received by Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (the Service) and considered under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000

The Service can confirm that the information that you have requested is partially held and is as per the attached document.

If you have any questions regarding your request, please contact Information Governance and Committee Services on tel: 0345 122 4454 or by e-mail informationrequests@hwfire.org.uk. In any such communication please include the reference number assigned (see Subject).

Should you have any queries regarding the management of your request and wish to make either a complaint or request a review of the information disclosed to you, please do so by using Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service’s complaints system: Comments and Complaints. This must be done within 40 working days of our response to your request. After this date and in line with ICO guidance the Service is not obliged to provide an internal review of your request.

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the internal review, you may appeal the decision by contacting the Information Commissioner, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AF, Tel: 0303 123 1113 (alternatively 01625 545745) or E-mail: casework@ico.org.uk.

Further information on Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service may be viewed at the Service’s website: www.hwfire.org.uk

Thank you for your request for information.

Kind regards

Information Governance Team

Download Attachment

FOI 399 02 25