Batteries fires from e-cigarettes are rapidly increasing year-on-year, putting major pressure on emergency services across the UK.
London Data Centre’s newest figures are showing a sharp spike in fires caused by the incorrect disposal of batteries, with vapes being a particularly concerning culprit.
The lowest years on record were 2018 and 2019, with only two fires being reported to services, while 2024 saw 14 fires, and 2025 has seen 10 fires in the first half of the year.
Vapes are composed of lithium-ion batteries possessing a high energy density, meaning that when the device becomes overheated or damaged it has the potential to catch fire.
This is an increasing concern for the London Fire Brigade, who are noting the increase in lithium battery-related calls.
London Fire Brigade’s Station Commander Steve Pringle said: “Any battery is at risk of exploding and catching fire if it has been crushed or becomes damaged.
“When lithium-ion battery fires happen, they can be ferocious and can spread in seconds.
“A lithium-ion battery in a vape might fail because the battery has been overcharged or because the wrong charger has been used.”
Disposable vape packaging rarely include instructions on disposal, meaning consumers don’t know the dangers of discarding it into regular waste bins.
Pringle said: “We also suspect that discarded vapes are contributing to an increase in fires involving waste collection vehicles.
“There is an explosive risk as well involved in that.
“So obviously, there are dangers to firefighters, as well as members of the public that are in the area.”
On the future of vapes, Pringle said: “Education has got to be where we start.”
The likelihood of a faulty vape battery turning into a fire is largely dependant on the material it first comes into contact with when smoking.
According to London Datastore, paper and cardboard accounted for a quarter of the start of all vape fires.
This was closely followed by bed, mattresses and bedding at 15%.
One victim of a near-miss Rachel Wagstaff, 22, spoke about how her vape almost caught alight.
Rachel said: “Until recently I used to go through about two vapes a week – mainly disposable ElfBars.
“About three months ago one of my vapes had just ran out and so I left it on the side without thinking about it.
“Somehow it ended up on the floor and one of my housemates stood on it.
“The vape immediately started smoking and we panicked, so we chucked it into a cup of water which thankfully worked, but if my housemate hadn’t noticed the smell then it could have gone much worse.
“I’ve never considered vapes to be a fire hazard, it wouldn’t have ever crossed my mind.”
Councils across London are campaigning to try and promote the correct disposal of e-cigarettes to prevent bin fires.
North London Waste Authority (NLWA) are one of the many organisations trying to combat this rising problem.
They launched their Lead the Charge campaign in October, informing consumers on how to throw away devices containing lithium batteries correctly.
Clyde Loakes, Chair Councillor of NLWA said: “We’ve seen a sharp rise in e-waste fires in recent years, with vapes in particular being a big concern.
“We welcomed the Government’s ban on wasteful single-use vapes earlier this year, but truthfully we are still seeing vast amounts of supposedly reusable vapes being thrown away in general waste, along with other e-waste items.
“Our new Lead the Charge campaign helps residents understand the fire risk of incorrectly throwing vapes and other e-waste items in the bin.
“We encourage residents to do the right thing and recycle their e-waste properly so the precious metals inside can be turned into something new.
“However, the e-waste recycling process is expensive and logistically difficult, and we don’t think it’s fair taxpayers should have to bear that burden.
“As part of our Call to Action, we are calling on the Government to strengthen producer responsibility so battery manufacturers cover the cost of kerbside collection, fire damage and recycling.”
In the UK, it was estimated that just under 11% per cent of the population in 2024 used vapes and e-cigarettes.
The London Fire Brigade have welcomed the Government’s ban on disposable vapes.
Pringle said: “With the disposable vapes, we were having these vapes put into landfill, put it into general rubbish, which obviously would have increased the chance of that those fires occurring.
“Now they’re rechargeable.”
They hope this change and educational campaigns, the number of vape-related fires breaking out will start to reduce.
Photo Credit: Unsplash – John Cameron and HYLA
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