Two recent house fires in Wiltshire linked to e-bikes have prompted an urgent warning from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service.
Firefighters were called out to two serious blazes in Swindon where lives were placed at risk. Both were traced back to cheap conversion kits used to turn ordinary bicycles into motorised e-bikes, kits which often lack important safety features. Wiltshire Police are already cracking down on their use on public roads, where such conversions are frequently illegal.
A spokesperson for the fire service said: “We have been called to two serious fires caused by e-bikes, where lives could have been lost. Cheap conversion kits don’t have the safeguards of official ones, and can easily lead to fire. Leaving an e-bike or e-scooter on charge in the home overnight or unattended is dangerous. Don’t leave anything on charge where it blocks your exit.”
What the Fire Service Advice Says
According to Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue, the key risk comes from lithium-ion batteries, which power most e-bikes and e-scooters and are used in home charging and storage. Batteries can sometimes fail catastrophically, leading to fires or even explosions.
Here are their safety recommendations:
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Charging safely
• Always use the manufacturer’s instructions and approved charger.
• Don’t leave devices charging unattended, especially while you are asleep or away.
• Don’t cover chargers or battery packs while in use (they can overheat).
• Avoid charging or storing near flammable materials. -
Storage precautions
• Keep e-bikes, e-scooters and batteries out of escape routes or communal areas in multi-occupancy buildings.
• Store them in a cool, dry space—not in places that get very hot or cold. -
Buying and maintenance
• Only purchase equipment (bikes, conversion kits, chargers, batteries) from reputable retailers, making sure they comply with British or European safety standards.
• Be cautious with second-hand or counterfeit items. While they may seem cheaper, they often lack safety features.
• Check regularly for damage; damaged batteries can become unstable and overheat without warning. -
In case of battery or device fire
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Do not attempt to extinguish a lithium-battery fire yourself—evacuate immediately, call 999.
What Can Be Done
The fire service is backing national efforts to introduce stricter laws around e-bikes and e-scooters, particularly to ensure:
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that battery packs come with safety mechanisms to prevent overheating or “thermal runaway” (which can lead to fire or explosion)
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that manufacturers and retailers clearly register and recall faulty units;
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