West Yorkshire Fire Service urges safe battery disposal as lithium-ion fires rise
West Yorkshire Fire Service records rising incidents of fires from improperly discarded lithium-ion batteries and calls for safer recycling practices.
A senior officer from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has warned of a rising number of fires caused by improperly discarded lithium-ion batteries.
These batteries, found in vapes, smartphones and power tools, can ignite when crushed in household waste bins, the force said. In Wakefield alone, nearly 85 tonnes of electronics ended up in recycling bins last year, causing 46 fires at a sorting site and five fires on bin lorries.
Assistant District Commander David Burland said: "These avoidable fires divert vital resources from other emergencies." He explained that when lithium-ion cells are crushed during waste compaction, they can enter a self-heating state and erupt in flames due to internal chemical reactions.
Disposal and charging risks
WYFRS has teamed up with Wakefield Council and waste manager Biffa to launch a public campaign on battery recycling. Many supermarkets and libraries offer dedicated battery bins, and local council websites provide disposal guidance.
Burland also cautioned against buying unregulated battery packs online, often used to convert pedal bikes into e-bikes. He advised charging e-bikes outdoors or away from living spaces to avoid blocking escape routes in case of fire.
Fatal conversion battery fire
In December 2023, 28-year-old Mohsin Janjua died in Bradford when his converted e-bike battery failed catastrophically while charging indoors. A coroner's report led to calls for government review of unregulated lithium-ion kits.
The Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 now allows authorities to tackle risks from emerging technologies, including battery-induced fires. Burland advocated for mandatory testing to British standards before sales to improve safety.
Improper disposal and charging of lithium-ion batteries pose a serious fire risk, requiring public awareness campaigns and stricter regulation to prevent tragedies.
This topic was reported by BBC News.
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