Gosport fire: Electrical Safety First charity calls for new safety laws following Hill Park Road incident

Electrical Safety First are making the call for the government to introduce mandatory third-party checks on lithium-ion batteries that are being sold in to the UK market. The call comes following the devastating fire in Hill Park Road, Gosport on Wednesday, June 19 which damaged eight homes. The cause of which is believed to be an e-scooter.

The charity has advised that as it stands, manufacturers are currently able to self-declare that their products conform to safety standards. They believe the change to a third-party check would bring e-bike and e-scooter safety requirements would make it safer and bring it in line with other high risk products such as fireworks.

Lesley Rudd, chief executive of Electrical Safety First commented: “This recent fire in Hampshire is just one of many we’re seeing up and down the country related to the charging of e-bike or e-scooter batteries, an issue that continues to put lives at risk.

“These batteries, when fully charged, can store a similar amount of energy to the TNT in six hand grenades and when they fail a process called thermal runaway begins, creating ferocious fires that can destroy a room in minutes. Whilst many factors play a part in a battery catching fire it is clear, based on the number of incidents and casualties we’re seeing, that there is urgent need for legislative change.

“We are urging the next Government to adopt our proposals, laid out last year, to introduce independent third-party certification for e-bikes, e-scooters and their batteries to reduce the risk of substandard batteries entering homes. At present, manufacturers can self-certify their batteries are safe, this needs to end.

“People are dying in these terrible fires and until this will continue until action is taken to address the problem. The call for enhanced safety regulations comes amidst growing concern over lithium-ion battery fires, which continue to pose significant risks across the UK.”

The charity have outlined the recommendations in their report Battery Breakdown.