blamed on lithium-ion battery fire

Walleys Quarry blaze blamed on lithium-ion battery fire

Investigators have found the cause of the blaze at controversial landfill site Walleys Quarry. The fire has been blamed on a lithium-ion battery fire. The Silverdale landfill had to close following the blaze temporarily.

But it reopened within days – much to the anger of campaigners. Now Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service have revealed the most likely cause of the fire.

It has triggered fresh calls for residents to properly dispose of electrical items. Lithium-ion batteries are found inside many everyday household items, including laptops, mobile phones and tablets.

Fire investigator Liam Hickey said: “The rise in the number of electrical items containing lithium-ion batteries brings significant fire risk if they are discarded at waste sites instead of being recycled. When damaged, these batteries can be dangerous to the public, waste operators and firefighters as they cause fires that are challenging to tackle. We are calling on people to make sure that they always recycle their electricals.”

To learn more about lithium-ion battery fires, including how to dispose of them properly, you can check out our complete guide on the topic HERE. This guide also includes helpful tips to help you stay safe when having these batteries in your home. Stay safe!

Electrical Fire Stafford

Stafford man ‘loses everything’ in electrical-bike fire

A Stafford man has said he has “lost everything” after an electrical fire that started because his electric bike exploded.

Dave Bird, from Stafford, was on holiday with his children in Wales last month when he was told about the fire by his friend who was house-sitting and looking after his pets.

“Everything is just gone, the kitchen is obliterated, all my furniture, my cooker, totally devastated,” said Mr Bird.

“There are things I can’t get back, pictures of my mum and my dad who’ve both passed, items of jewellery from my dad, his fob watch and things like that. Things that the kids have made me.”

‘Totally devastated’

He continued: “The thing that really upset me was pictures of my daughter on the wall who I lost in 2010. They were totally… That really upset me.”

Mr Bird’s friend, Dan, had bought the E-bike as a gift for him to help with his mobility issues and he planned to surprise him with it when he returned home from holiday.

Shortly after putting the bike on charge, Dan heard a bang from the kitchen and the fire erupted.

Mr Bird returned from holiday to a burnt-out shell of a house after the fire had ripped through his home and destroyed all of his belongings.

‘You buy something you expect it to work’

“He plugged it in at night for a few hours to make sure it was ready for the morning when I got back and it blew up,” said Mr Bird, “he heard a fizz and a pop and then the fire just spread and everything gone, that’s it.”

“He had to go the hospital for oxygen, the kittens had to go for oxygen, I’m just thankful he got out safe,” he said.

“There’s nothing you can do, he felt like it was his fault. I said ‘You wouldn’t expect that’, you buy something you expect it to work don’t you.”


An investigation by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service found the main source of the fire was the battery charger – and they are now issuing warnings to anyone who is considering purchasing an E-bike.

To charge the bikes safely the fire service is urging people to always use the correct charger and not to charge them overnight due to the risk of bikes overheating.

“We’re seeing a rise in the number of issues we’ve got with the safety of those, particularly around the chargers,” said Tony Shore, Staffordshire Trading Standards Operations Manager.

“A lot of fires that are caused are as a result of faulty electrical goods and it’s important that you do your research before you buy them.

“Make sure that they comply with the appropriate British standards and make sure, more importantly, that they’re genuine products and they’re not counterfeit.”


The charger was bought from Amazon and Dave now wants the retailer to take it off sale.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Amazon said: “We’ve reached out to the customer directly and a full investigation’s underway. Safety is important to Amazon and we want customers to shop with confidence on our stores.

“We monitor the products sold for product safety concerns and require all products on Amazon to comply with applicable laws and regulations.

“If customers have concerns about an item they’ve purchased, we encourage them to contact our Customer Service directly so we can investigate and take appropriate action.”

Mr Bird rents his house from the council and they have told him it’ll take at least six months to rebuild it.


Lithium-ion batteries and E-bike fires specifically are a growing problem. More and more cases like this one seem to be occurring every week. These are serious matters and luckily, in this case, no one was hurt. This Stafford electrical fire incident is an eye-opener for many and should act in spreading awareness of incidents like this one.

Fire Service warning on e-bike

Nottinghamshire Fire Service issue warning after e-bike battery explosion

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service have shared footage of an incident where an e-bike battery exploded.

Electric bikes, also known as e-bikes, are motor-assisted pedal cycles that look similar to conventional bicycles.

With a rechargeable battery and a motor to provide support when pedalling, electric bikes offer riders the ability to travel faster than a traditional bicycle without requiring the same level of physical exertion.

Under current law in England, Scotland and Wales, electric bikes that meet certain criteria may be used by people 14 years or older without needing a licence or insurance; however, different rules apply in Northern Ireland.

To meet the criteria, e-bikes must be classed as ‘electrically assisted pedal cycles’ (EAPCs). Any electric bike that does not meet the EAPC rules is classed as a motorcycle or moped and needs to be registered and taxed. You’ll need a driving licence to ride one and you must wear a crash helmet.

Nottinghamshire Fire Service have issued certain rules and guides on how to use e-bikes in terms of charging and general use. The Lithium-ion batteries used inside these e-bikes are a great beast and can cause serious damage if not used correctly.

Charging Your E-Bike

To reduce the risk of fires related to e-bikes at home, always exercise caution when charging batteries. Never attempt to modify or tamper with the battery. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Avoid leaving the e-bike to charge for too long periods of time or unattended, such as overnight or whilst out of the house.

Reduce the Risk of Overheating

Batteries can become warm during use, so allow them to cool before attempting to recharge. To ensure that heat can dissipate properly, batteries should only be charged on hard, flat surfaces away from flammable items such as furniture, carpets or curtains. Take care to avoid exposing batteries to extremes of temperature or charging them if they’ve become damaged. Overcharging can also lead to the battery overheating, so please keep it away from flammable materials and always keep an eye on the e-bike whilst charging.

Follow Instructions Carefully

When charging, always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions and never leave a battery charging unattended or charge it while you are sleeping. When it’s fully charged, unplug your charger right away. Always use the correct charger for your batteries – buy replacements from reputable sellers only.

Where To Charge Your E-bike

Be mindful not to block your escape route with e-bikes when storing them; store them in an area away from paths or exits.

Prepare an escape plan with your family in case of a fire – if one does start, dial 999 immediately instead of trying to tackle it yourself.