Cambridgeshire men urge new government to prevent future e-bike fire deaths
Scott Peden and Eddie MacGregor have both been affected by fires relating to e-bike batteries
Two Cambridgeshire men whose families were affected by e-bike fires are telling us the new Government must tackle issues around using the technology.
Scott Peden lost his partner and two children when an e-bike left charging overnight exploded in their home in June last year.
Three coroners have now written to Westminster highlighting the fatal consequences e-bike batteries can bring.
"These things need to be regulated"
"These things need to be regulated and the Government needs to do something soon," Scott said.
"I hope people are hearing my story and what's on the news about how dangerous these things are because it can't keep going that only coroners and hospitals are aware of how dangerous these (e-bikes) are.
"The lack of understanding about the fires these are causing is absolutely devastating; it's public safety because no one knows what's happening around them and how dangerous these things really are."
Since the fire, Scott has been leading calls for tougher safety laws around e-bike batteries, which is something we've been looking into as part of our investigation.
Last month, Electrical Safety First called on all political parties to agree on legislation that'll help prevent future deaths caused by e-bikes and their lithium-ion batteries.
"Everyone needs to know if you're going to get an e-bike, you need to take precautions; e-bikes, e-scooters and even modified ones," Scott added.
"This is not a trivial matter"
Last year, Eddie MacGregor, from Orton Goldhay, Peterborough was on a family trip out when he got the phone call saying his home was engulfed in flames.
He's said it's clear something needs to be done.
"We've got the evidence of what's happening out there; my family and I are still not back into our home, it's still under reconstruction because the entire property was devastated," Eddie said.
"This is not some trivial matter we're talking about; people are dying, people are losing their homes.
"It must be made illegal to sell one second-hand without its original charger; I think that's the first port of call, make second hand sales illegal and stop them from being sold on the internet.
"The fact a coroner's speaking out and it's becoming more widely known the potential dangers of e-bikes and e-scooters and the batteries within them, something has got to be done."
More regulation for e-bike batteries needed, says report
Last month, a senior coroner called for more regulation of the sale of lithium ion batteries and their chargers, after a fire caused by one in Bristol led to a man's death.
It was ruled Afghan refugee Abdul Jabar Oryakhel (30) lost his life trying to escape a fire started by one of the batteries, when it exploded inside a flat and blocked his way out.
In a Prevention of Future Deaths Report, Mary Voisin, senior coroner for Avon, said there must be more regulation of what batteries can be sold.
"There appears to be a lack of understanding of the dangers with Lithium-ion batteries used for e-bikes and e-scooters," she writes in the report.
"I understand that there is currently no British or European standard to control what lithium ion e-bike batteries and chargers can be sold in the UK."
Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, said she'll be working with colleagues across Government to respond to any prevention of future death reports and to keep people safe.