The tragic death of 28-year-old Mohsin Janjua in a house fire in Bradford has raised serious concerns about the safety of lithium-ion batteries used in e-bike conversions. Janjua, who had retrofitted his bicycle with an electric motor and upgraded to a 52-volt battery just a week before the incident, died after the battery reportedly exploded while charging overnight.
The incident has reignited debates surrounding the regulation of online marketplaces and the growing market for conversion kits and batteries that often evade safety scrutiny. According to investigators, the fire that took Janjua’s life was most likely triggered by a catastrophic failure of the battery he had bought online, believed to be from a third-party seller on eBay.
The intensity of the blaze not only made it difficult to fully examine the battery after the fire but also revealed stark similarities with batteries obtained through test purchases from the same online sources. These test units, originating from China, failed to meet the UK’s electrical safety standards.
Growing Danger of Unregulated Battery Sales
This incident is far from isolated. It marks the fifth formal warning issued in the UK about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries, particularly those used in modified electric bikes and scooters. Martin Fleming, the senior coroner for West Yorkshire Western, emphasized that online marketplaces currently disclaim any responsibility for the safety of third-party goods.
He has urged the government’s Office for Product Safety and Standards to reconsider this legal gap and introduce reforms that would make platforms jointly responsible for the safety and compliance of the products sold through them. Currently, many of these platforms operate as mere intermediaries, allowing vendors from anywhere in the world to list products without any assurance that the items meet UK safety regulations.
In the case of Mohsin Janjua’s battery, the lack of safety certification, poor build quality, and absence of proper charging regulation systems were all suspected factors contributing to the fire. The battery and charger were sourced online, bypassing any physical inspection or official certification processes.
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Luke Osborne, technical director at the electrical safety charity Electrical Safety First, has described the situation as increasingly dangerous. He noted that substandard batteries are being sold openly on the internet and pose a “life-threatening risk to the public.” According to Osborne, fires caused by such batteries are violent, releasing toxic gases and reaching temperatures exceeding 600°C—hot enough to melt metals and destroy entire rooms within minutes.
Call for Government Action and Regulatory Reform
In his report to the government, Coroner Martin Fleming didn’t mince words. He called for urgent attention to regulatory gaps that have allowed unsafe products to circulate freely on major online platforms. He particularly emphasized the need for the UK government to make online marketplaces legally responsible for verifying the safety and legal compliance of goods sold through their channels.
Electrical Safety First has also backed these recommendations, calling for a mandatory third-party certification process for all e-bike batteries and chargers sold online. The charity believes that only independent safety verification can stem the tide of substandard and dangerous components that are now widely available to unsuspecting consumers.
The government has acknowledged these concerns and is planning a consultation process focused on the regulation of dangerous goods sold online. This initiative, while still in early stages, aims to address the loopholes that allow high-risk items to enter UK households with minimal scrutiny.
E-bike conversion kits, once seen as a cheap and environmentally friendly way to embrace electric transport, are now facing scrutiny over their potential to cause harm. The process of converting a regular bike into an e-bike often involves mixing and matching components like motors, controllers, and batteries—many of which are sourced from unverified sellers. When improperly installed or charged, these parts can create a deadly combination.
The Human Cost Behind E-Bike Fires
While regulations and technical guidelines may form the backbone of a safe consumer environment, incidents like Mohsin Janjua’s death are sobering reminders of the human toll of regulatory oversight failure. Mohsin was a young with aspirations, whose decision to embrace an electric bike—whether for commuting, cost savings, or environmental reasons—ultimately led to an avoidable tragedy.
For those who knew him, the loss is immeasurable. For the broader public, his story highlights the silent risks that accompany the growing use of electric mobility solutions, especially when they are built using components not subject to adequate safety inspections. The accessibility of conversion kits and replacement batteries online makes it incredibly easy for anyone to create their own e-bike. However, this accessibility comes at a cost when safety is compromised.
Several similar fires have been reported across the UK, with lithium-ion batteries in electric scooters and bikes being the primary culprits. In many cases, the cause is either a malfunctioning battery, an incompatible charger, or the absence of a proper Battery Management System (BMS), which regulates voltage and prevents overheating. Without regulation, consumers often remain unaware of the potential dangers, trusting that what they purchase online is inherently safe.
These dangers are exacerbated by the rise in demand for cheaper electric transport options. As fuel costs climb and environmental concerns push more people toward sustainable alternatives, the appeal of converting a standard bicycle into an electric one using inexpensive kits has skyrocketed. Unfortunately, this trend also creates a ripe market for unregulated, poor-quality products.
Fire departments across the UK have been vocal about the spike in domestic fires linked to e-bikes and e-scooters. Emergency responders are frequently met with explosive blazes, often in homes where families are asleep and completely unaware of the hazard lying dormant in their hallway or living room. The rapid escalation of such fires leaves very little time for evacuation, often resulting in injury or death.
The growing list of victims—from children to adults like Mohsin Janjua—makes it clear that immediate action is required. While consumer awareness plays a role, the burden of responsibility lies with both government agencies and commercial platforms to enforce stricter safety measures.
It is not just about banning unsafe batteries or cracking down on rogue sellers. It’s also about ensuring that online marketplaces, which generate billions in revenue, are held accountable for the goods that change hands through their platforms. Without such accountability, stories like Janjua’s will continue to emerge, each one more heartbreaking than the last.
In the end, the tragic death of Mohsin Janjua is not just a single incident—it is a symbol of a larger systemic failure to adapt safety regulations to the modern world of digital commerce and electric innovation. If his story prompts meaningful change, it might yet save lives in the future. But until that change occurs, consumers are urged to exercise extreme caution, prioritize certified components, and never leave lithium-ion batteries charging unattended overnight.