Asylum hotel fires are blamed on migrant couriers' e-bike batteries
E-bike batteries used by asylum seekers working as delivery drivers risk starting fires at hotels hired out by the Government to house migrants.Firefighters from the London Fire Brigade (LFB) have been deployed six times to one hotel, in central London, housing hundreds of male asylum seekers since 2023.In one incident, a roaring blaze was sparked by a lithium battery which exploded into flames while charging in a migrant's room.It's understood the battery pack was being used to power a refugee's e-bike for food deliveries through apps such as Deliveroo, UberEats and JustEat.The Home Office, which is responsible for housing migrants in the hotels, has confirmed 'dangerous' e-bike batteries found indoors can be confiscated, The Telegraph reports.The newspaper previously reported how illegal asylum seekers are paying off people smuggler debts by making up to £500 a week as bike couriers.They have seen evidence of scorched plug sockets and electrical fittings at the hotel, suggesting faulty electrical equipment was responsible. The parent company of the well-known chain that owns the hotel told The Telegraph: 'There are stringent health and safety policies and regulations in place for both the building and its residents, with strict guidelines and comprehensive daily checks in line with fire safety regulations. E-bike batteries used by asylum seekers working as delivery drivers risk starting fires at hotels hired out by the Government to house migrants. (File image)'This responsibility falls under the operational management of a third party as part of the private booking.'A Home Office spokesman told MailOnline: 'The safety and security of individuals residing in Home Office accommodation is paramount.'We work closely with accommodation providers to ensure safety information about electrical items is thoroughly communicated.'If found indoors, dangerous items, such as e-bike batteries can be confiscated to mitigate dangers of a fire.'A spokesman for LFB said there were six fires at the hotel between 2023 and 2025, adding: 'One fire in 2023 was caused by the failure of a lithium-ion battery for an e-bike.'Fire services across the UK have warned of the risks posed by e-bike batteries following a surge in blazes linked to the lithium devices.Many fires are sparked by faulty chargers, modifications to e-bikes or counterfeit products bought online, including lithium batteries and chargers.The LFB has rushed to 143 e-bike fires since 2023, along with 36 blazes involving e-scooters. Three people have been killed and 60 injured in those fires. It was previously reported how illegal asylum seekers are paying off people smuggler debts by making up to £500 a week as bike couriers. (File image of a Deliveroo driver in London) In March, it was announced that all non-folding e-bikes will be banned on London Tube and trains from the end of the month because they keep catching fire. This is a file image of an e-bike exploding at Sutton train station during rush hour on March 21 last yearRead More E-bikes are banned from London Tube and rail services because they keep catching fire The Government is updating product safety laws around the batteries to help improve safety.Seven people were rushed to hospital earlier this month after a house fire in Cardiff was started by a lithium-ion battery-powered scooter.The incident led to South Wales Fire and Rescue Service warning that lithium batteries present the "fastest growing" risk of fires.In March, it was announced that all non-folding e-bikes will be banned on London Tube and trains from the end of the month because they keep catching fire.London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced the move after a series of blazes sparked by the cycles on the capital's transport network.
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Asylum hotel fires are blamed on migrant couriers' e-bike batteries exploding after firefighters were called to the same location six times
