Calls for more regulation after Bristol e-bike fire kills refugee
A senior coroner says there must be more regulation around the sale of lithium ion batteries
Last updated 28th Jun 2024
A senior coroner is calling 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.
Earlier this week 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.
During an inquest held at Avon Coroners Court on Monday (24th June) we heard how father of seven Abdul and three other men were asleep inside a flat on the top floor of Twinnell House in Easton in September 2022, when suddenly the battery of an e-bike being stored by the front door, caught fire.
The flames were so severe Abdul felt he could not leave through the door, so tried to escape through a window but slipped and fell to his death.
Now, in a Prevention of Future Deaths Report senior coroner for Avon Mary Voisin says 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."
Ms Voisin adds her belief that "there is a risk that future deaths will occur", unless better protections are established.
This is not the first time a Prevention of Future Deaths Report has been issued in such circumstances.
In this case it will be sent to several organisations including the Office for Product Safety and Standards, the Department for Transport and the West of England Combined Authority.
Steve Quinton from the Avon Fire and Rescue Service, who gave evidence at the inquest, says such fires, whilst rare, are happening more frequently.
"What I would stress though is, people shouldn't be alarmed," he said.
"If you operate your e-bike, e-scooter, or anything involving a lithium ion battery safely, then they are safe...
"There are obviously safety messages we like to give out around how you charge it, how you don't leave it unattended, make sure you use the right charger for the equipment.
"If it's damaged in any way, don't use it, dispose of it properly."
Speaking to us in 2022 following the fire at Twinnell House, Paul Christensen, who is a professor of electrochemistry at Newcastle University said there needs to be more education around the potential dangers.
"The simple fact is that a lithium ion battery stores a very large amount of energy in a very small space, and anything that does that, for example petrol in a petrol tank, if that energy gets out in an uncontrolled fashion or if you abuse it in some way, essentially you're in trouble," he told us.
"If we focus down on e-scooters and e-bikes then, e-scooters can take a lot of hammering.
"If you, for example, do bunny hops of the kerb and off seats and things, walls, that crushes the battery case..."
He said: "You most certainly do not charge it indoors.
"If you have to charge it indoors, for example if you do live in a flat, then only charge it when you are awake and present.
"In real terms the numbers (of accidents) are very small, but the consequences of failure can be horrendous, as we have very sadly seen..."
The Department for Transport and other groups being sent the Prevention of Future Deaths Report are not legally required to act, but they are required to respond with details of any proposed action, or if none is planned, explain why.