Report by Duncan Williams for Pulman's Weekly News
A safety warning has been issued across Somerset and Devon after a sharp rise in fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters, with residents urged to take extra care when buying, charging and storing battery-powered transport.
New figures from the Fire Protection Association show there were a record 432 fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters across the UK in 2025. Many of these incidents involved lithium-ion batteries, which can fail suddenly and cause intense fires.
The growing risk has prompted Heart of the South West Trading Standards to issue an urgent warning to consumers.
Fakir Osman, assistant director of regulatory services for Heart of the South West Trading Standards, said: “Battery fires linked to e-bikes and e-scooters are rising fast, and some have devastating consequences.
“If you are buying one, choose a reputable retailer.
“Make sure the bike, battery and charger meet UK safety standards.
“Cutting corners to save money could put …
