Is it worth risking death for the sake of a cheap battery? Many consumers fail to purchase their batteries from suppliers they can trust. We share the tragic tale of a decent man, who cut corners when he converted his bicycle to an e-bike. We publish this post in the interests of safer batteries for all.
The Pirate Battery That Sent a Young Man to His Death
The Independent news channel in Britain lead with the news on August 6, 2025. We understand that Mohsin Janjua died, after the battery in his converted e-bike caught fire.
He was charging it while he slept in his home in West Yorkshire, England. There was a coroner investigation as his death was unnatural. We thus have more information than usual about this death, apparently for the sake of a cheap battery.
The coroner’s report concludes that Mohsin Janjua died from breathing in the fumes of a burning lithium-ion battery. He had purchased the battery and other ‘modifiable parts’ on the internet to electrify his bicycle.
The young man assisted his mother and son to evacuate the house when he awoke. Then he returned to the fume-filled home to look for his brother, not knowing he had already escaped. The fumes and heat overwhelmed Mohsin Janjua, and the decent young man died alone in an upstairs bedroom.
Coroner’s Warning Over Cheap e-Bike Batteries
The coroner’s report, that we link to below, confirms that the young man purchased the lithium-ion battery on eBay. The battery and charger that were the cause of the fire, apparently did not conform to United Kingdom safety standards.
The coroner’s report concludes, “In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken. Fires caused by substandard or non-compliant batteries have increased, and many originate from online marketplaces.
“Fires caused by substandard or non-compliant batteries have increased, and many online marketplaces disclaim responsibility. Online marketplaces should be jointly responsible for ensuring the safety, and legal compliance of products sold on their sites”.
More Information
Fire Safe Lithium Metal Battery in Sight
Three Homes Burn in a Lithium-Ion Fire
