Coroner calls on government to crack down on e-bike fires after Bristol’s death

A coroner has called on the government to take action on e-bike battery fires to prevent future deaths. Maria Voisin, senior coroner for Avon, issued the plea after leading an inquest into the death of Abdul Oryakhel, who fell from the window of his 16th-floor apartment while trying to escape a fire.

Mr Oryakhel – who had arrived in Bristol after leaving Afghanistan just months earlier – died on September 25, 2022 in Stapleton Road, Easton, after falling from Twinnell House.

He fell from the top floor of the building after a fire broke out when a lithium-ion battery for an electric bicycle overheated and caught fire.

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In a report on preventing future deaths, Ms Voisin wrote: “There appears to be a lack of understanding of the dangers of lithium-ion batteries used for electric bicycles and scooters.”

“I understand that there is currently no UK or European standard that controls what lithium-ion e-bike batteries and chargers can be sold in the UK.”

“From what I’m told, there’s an increase in people buying and using electric bikes and scooters.”

“I am aware that other coroners have written similar reports, but this just goes to highlight that preventable deaths continue.”

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

A government response is required by September 12. Two other Preventing Future Deaths reports have been written by coroners in England in relation to e-bike battery fires in the past year.

Lesley Rudd, chief executive of the charity Electrical Safety First, said: “This very sad circumstance marks the third such letter to the Government recommending action be taken to prevent further loss of life due to e-bike battery fires .

“The evidence is indisputable that the status quo is costing lives.”

“It is essential that the next government prioritizes this issue and introduces stricter 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 set out our proposals to tackle this growing threat last year and since then we have seen a worrying rise in e-bike fires across the UK.”

“This problem is getting worse and without urgent Government intervention, more lives will be lost.”