Coroner calls for action on Li-ion batteries

Following an inquest into the death of a man who fell to his death from a flat fire in Bristol, a coroner has shared her concerns over the “lack of understanding” of the dangers of lithium-ion batteries

On 25 September 2022, Abdul Oryakhel fell to his death trying to escape a flat fire on the 16th floor of a council-owned block in Bristol City Centre.

As previously reported by the FPA, an investigation into the blaze at Twinnell House confirmed that it had been started by “accidental ignition”. Specifically, it was “caused by local overheating and catastrophic failure of a lithium-ion battery pack which in turn caused a thermal runaway and significant fire development in a short space of time”. The e-bike and charging equipment were cited as the “only possible sources of ignition”.

It is believed that the battery had been stored in the hallway cupboard of the flat, with the blaze breaking out in the early hours of the morning while the residents were asleep. Four people had been inside the top-floor property at the time. One person received “significant burns” while escaping and two others were able to escape while “crawling out of the kitchen window and being rescued by the emergency services”.

Mr Oryakhel sadly fell from the window of the 16th floor while trying to escape the fire.

An HM Senior Coroner has since issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report to several government officials asking them to take action to prevent future deaths.

In the report published on 25 June 2024, Maria Voisin said: “During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion, there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances, it is my statutory duty to report to you.”

Of the matters of concern highlighted, Voisin said that there was a “lack of understanding of the dangers with lithium-ion batteries used for e-bikes and e-scooters”.

I understand that there is currently no British or European (e.g. BSI or PAS) standard to control what lithium-ion e-bike batteries and chargers can be sold in the UK.

From what I am told there is an increase in the number of people buying and using e-bikes and e-scooters.

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths, and I believe you have the power to take such action.

As detailed by Inside Housing, the report was sent to the CEO of the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), the head of private e-scooter regulation, traffic and technology at the Department for Transport, and the Metro Mayor of the West of England Combined Authority. They have until September to respond to the report with “details of action taken or proposed to be taken”.

I am aware that other coroners have written similar reports, but this only goes to emphasise that preventable deaths continue,” Voisin added.

As reported by Bristol Live, Electrical Safety First’s chief executive, Lesley Rudd said: "This very sad circumstance marks the third letter of its kind to be sent to the Government recommending action is taken to prevent further loss of life from e-bike battery fires.

"It is essential the next Government prioritises this issue and introduces tighter product safety laws for e-bikes and their batteries in a bid to prevent these devastating fires.

"We continue to call for the introduction of third-party certification for these devices to reduce the risk to life that substandard batteries and their accessories pose to households.

"We first presented our proposals to tackle this escalating threat last year, and since then, we have seen a worrying increase in e-bike fires across the UK."

"This problem is worsening, and without urgent Government intervention, more lives will be lost."