In early 2026, a devastating fire broke out in a vape shop near Glasgow Central Station. Following the blaze, a fire safety expert claimed that vape shop owners are unprepared and ill-equipped when it comes to preventing and dealing with fires.
In this post we’ll explore some of the common causes of vape shop fires, before discussing how you can help manage the risks on your premises.
What Causes Vape Shop Fires?
Vape shops are vulnerable to the sort of fire risks that all businesses must contend with: Electrical faults, discarded cigarettes, arson, and so on. But the most serious vape shop fires are caused by the vapes themselves.
Vapes are powered by lithium batteries, which carry a strong fire risk.
Why Are Lithium Batteries So Dangerous?
Lithium battery fires aren’t like other fires: They can burn at temperatures as high as 1,000°C, and they can release toxic and flammable gases. Not only do these feed the fire as it burns, but they can also lead to an explosion.
So, if a fire breaks out at a vape shop, it can spread quickly, and it can be very hard to extinguish. You need specialist equipment to put out a lithium battery fire. Following the recent Glasgow vape shop fire, the fire services were criticised for using water, which is ineffective at combating such fires.
Why Do Vapes Catch Fire?
If the lithium battery in a vape is in any way damaged, it can get very hot very quickly. The rapid release of energy, known as a thermal runaway, can even cause the battery to spontaneously ignite.
A vape’s battery can get damaged if the vape is crushed, pierced, or exposed to extremely high or extremely low temperatures. Overcharging the device, or leaving it plugged in, can also lead to problems. Plus, many vapes are made of plastic and other combustible materials, which will make a fire even more likely should the battery get compromised.
Many vape shop fires can probably be traced to improperly storing vapes, in areas where they’ll get too hot or too cold, or where they might get damaged. Incorrectly disposing of vapes is also a major cause of fires. One major waste firm reported over 300 fires in a 12-month period related to wrongly discarded vapes.
How To Prevent Vape Fires In Your Vape Shop
- Only stock reliable products. You should only stock vapes that meet all relevant UK and European safety standards. Read our full guide to which vapes are legal and illegal in the UK.
- Take care when storing vapes. Don’t place them anywhere they might get exposed to sources of heat or cold. Avoid stacking boxes so as to reduce the risk of damage from crushing.
- Take care when disposing of vapes. Never throw vapes into the main waste stream. Instead, use a dedicated vape or electrical item disposal service. Read our full guide to safely disposing of vapes.
Protecting Your Vape Shop From Fires
If a fire does break out, your main priority should be your own safety, along with the safety of any staff, customers, or other members of the public who might be on the premises. This is why it pays to have the right firefighting equipment on hand.
As we mentioned above, a standard water or foam fire extinguisher will not do much to tackle a lithium battery fire. You will need a Class D extinguisher, which uses dry powder to smother the flames, cutting off its oxygen while creating a cooling barrier to prevent reignition.
Finally, as part of the upcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill, you will need to obtain a licence to sell vapes and other tobacco products. As part of this, you’ll need to ensure your premises meets certain fire safety standards. Learn more about the coming compliance standards, along with the penalties for non-compliance, here.
Is Your Shop Covered For Vape Fires?
If you sell vapes, even as a small part of your stock, you should not assume your existing shop insurance will cover you for fires and other risks.
You’ll likely need:
- A policy extension from your current insurer, or
- A specialist vape shop insurance policy.
Insurers will usually ask:
- Do you sell nicotine products?
- Do you sell devices with lithium batteries?
- Do you import stock?
- Do you mix or manufacture e‑liquids?
This will determine the sort of cover you need.
If you sell vapes on your retail premises, we can help you get the specialist vape insurance you need at a price you can afford. For more information, call us on 0208 290 9080 or email ecig@anthonyjones.com.
