Lithium Battery Fires Surge: What You Need to Know

Lithium-ion batteries, powering everything from phones to e-bikes, are becoming a primary source of fires. In the UK, fires involving these batteries have more than doubled in three years, with one occurring every five hours in 2025. The US reports approximately 25,000 incidents over five years, affecting homes, waste facilities, and energy storage sites.

E-bikes and e-scooters are highlighted as significant fire hazards in urban areas like New York, with retrofitted bikes posing a greater risk. Vapes are also a growing concern for regulators and insurers. The underlying issue is thermal runaway, a self-heating chain reaction that can lead to fires or explosions.

Several factors can trigger thermal runaway, including physical damage, overcharging, short circuits, extreme temperatures, manufacturing defects, and improper chargers. Warning signs such as unusual heat, swelling, acrid odors, hissing sounds, smoke, or vapor indicate a potential problem.

Damaged, overheated, overcharged, or poor-quality batteries pose the greatest risk. Awareness of these dangers and preventative measures, such as avoiding cheap products and monitoring charging devices, is essential. If a battery shows signs of thermal runaway, prioritize safety by moving it to a non-flammable surface outdoors and calling emergency services if necessary.

For immediate response, aircraft passengers should inform cabin crew, and vehicle occupants should pull over safely. In case of fire, avoid touching the device directly and use a suitable fire extinguisher or copious amounts of water (if not connected to AC power) to cool it. Be aware that reignition is possible hours or days later.

ABC fire extinguishers are recommended for lithium-ion fires, alongside fire blankets and specialized battery storage bags for added safety. Understanding these precautions and response protocols is vital for mitigating the risks associated with the widespread use of lithium-ion batteries.