top of page
Search

Lithium-Ion Battery Fires: August 1 - 9

  • Writer: Tim Spears
    Tim Spears
  • 2 days ago
  • 4 min read
ree

Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere, powering our phones, bikes, cars, and even home energy systems. But with their benefits come real fire safety challenges.


To help raise awareness, I’ve put together a photo carousel highlighting recent lithium-ion battery fire incidents from around the world. Each case shows why codes, safe practices, and awareness are so important.


Here are just a few examples you’ll find inside:


✅ Lviv, Ukraine – An electric scooter battery exploded inside a 12-story hotel, forcing evacuations and sending six people to the hospital.


✅ New Bedford, Massachusetts, USA – A basement fire linked to multiple lithium-ion batteries was stopped before spreading, thanks to smoke alarms and quick firefighter response.


✅ Bulawayo, Zimbabwe – A surge of solar system-related fires has destroyed homes, with poor installation and substandard equipment cited as key causes.


✅ Ottawa, Canada – Landfill fires traced to improperly discarded batteries highlight the risks of hidden cells in everyday items like toys and vapes.


Across these incidents, a few common lessons emerge:


Batteries should never be charged unattended or with mismatched chargers.

Proper disposal and recycling are essential to prevent fires in waste facilities.

Working smoke alarms and closed doors continue to make the difference between near-miss and tragedy.


I invite you to swipe through the slide show for more case details and safety takeaways and please share it with colleagues and communities who may benefit from these lessons.



I’ve created the spreadsheet with all 21 reviewed incidents, including the title, link, publication date, and description.


You can download it here:



🔍 Lessons Learned from This Week’s Lithium-Ion Battery Fires


Reviewing real-world incidents is one of the most effective ways to strengthen our approach to fire prevention. By looking at what has happened in homes, businesses, and transportation systems, we can identify patterns that highlight both the risks and the solutions. The following lessons are drawn from recent lithium-ion battery fires reported globally between August 1 and August 9, 2025.


Unattended Charging Risks


Several incidents, including fires in Chichester, Essex, and New Bedford were linked to devices left charging without supervision. In these cases, smoke alarms gave occupants enough time to escape, but the fires caused significant property damage.


Takeaway: Always avoid leaving batteries charging unattended or overnight, and use working smoke alarms.


Improper Equipment Use


Investigators in New Bedford found that a mismatched charger was being used, while officials in Bulawayo pointed to poor workmanship and substandard materials in solar installations. These preventable factors increased the likelihood of battery failures and fires.


Takeaway: Use only manufacturer-approved batteries and chargers, and ensure installations are performed by certified professionals.


Hidden Hazards in Waste


Ottawa, Albury, and Chilliwack all reported fires at waste facilities tied to discarded batteries. Even small cells in toys, vapes, or greeting cards can ignite under landfill conditions, putting staff and equipment at risk.


Takeaway: Batteries of all sizes must be recycled properly, never placed in household trash or curbside bins.


Transportation Fire Threats


Airline incidents involving a vape pen in Hawaii and a power bank on a KLM flight demonstrate how quickly lithium-ion batteries can become hazards in enclosed environments. In both cases, trained crews contained the fire, but the risks were significant.


Takeaway: Airlines and passengers alike must follow strict battery transport rules and be prepared for inflight containment.


Community Safety Impact


From hotels in Lviv to residential neighborhoods in Windsor and Gresham, battery fires can rapidly threaten multiple occupants. Quick evacuations and fire department interventions prevented loss of life, but the incidents highlight how fast these fires escalate.


Takeaway: Building managers and residents should plan for evacuation and keep escape routes clear when storing or charging large batteries like e-bikes or scooters.


By learning from these incidents, we can better align prevention, education, and enforcement efforts to reduce the growing risks associated with lithium-ion batteries.


References


Albany Advertiser. (2025, August 1). Albany firefighters extinguish Collingwood Heights shed blaze caused by lithium-ion battery. Albany Advertiser. https://www.albanyadvertiser.com.au/news/albany-advertiser/albany-firefighters-extinguish-collingwood-heights-shed-blaze-caused-by-lithium-ion-battery--c-19544135

Beat of Hawaii. (2025, August 6). Vape pen causes smoke emergency on Hawaii flight. Beat of Hawaii. https://beatofhawaii.com/vape-pen-causes-smoke-emergency-on-hawaii-flight

Bradley, C. (2025, August 9). Wickford residents heard huge bang after garden fire. Echo. https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/25378041.residents-heard-huge-bang-wickford-garden-fire

Bulawayo24 News. (2025, August 8). Bulawayo hit by wave of lithium battery fires. Bulawayo24 News. https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-local-byo-256141.html

CBS News. (2025, August 8). Video shows smoke filling plane cabin midflight after portable phone charger catches fire. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/video-smoke-plane-cabin-midflight-portable-phone-charger-fire

Columbus County News. (2025, August 5). Florist destroyed in morning fire. Columbus County News. https://columbuscountynews.com/2025/08/florist-destroyed-in-morning-fire

CTV News Ottawa. (2025, August 2). Rise in fires at Trail Road landfill linked to batteries. CTV News Ottawa. https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/city-of-ottawa-staff-are-seeing-more-fires-at-the-trail-road-landfill-and-theyre-blaming-batteries

Edge FM Wangaratta. (2025, August 6). Correct battery disposal. 102.1 & 93.3 Edge FM Wangaratta. https://edge1021.com.au/articles/correct-battery-disposal

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service. (2025, August 3). Crews issue advice after kitchen fire. Essex County Fire and Rescue Service. https://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/crews-issue-advice-after-kitchen-fire-2025-08-03-13-50

Fraser Valley Today. (2025, August 5). Lithium-ion batteries responsible for fire at Chilliwack transfer facility. Fraser Valley Today. https://fraservalleytoday.ca/2025/08/05/lithium-ion-batteries-responsible-for-fire-at-chilliwack-transfer-facility

Hallinan, K. (2025, August 6). Correct battery disposal. 102.1 & 93.3 Edge FM Wangaratta. https://edge1021.com.au/articles/correct-battery-disposal

Holmes-Hill, M. (2025, August 8). Faulty batteries blamed for $250K Windsor home fire; four displaced. Windsor Star. https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/faulty-batteries-blamed-for-250k-windsor-home-fire-four-displaced

KGW. (2025, August 6). Woman recalls suspected lithium-ion battery fire at Gresham duplex. KGW. https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/gresham-duplex-suspected-lithium-ion-battery-fire/283-8b88f31c-3f0c-4bf8-b578-0b288e68ba4f

New Bedford Guide. (2025, August 9). New Bedford family’s narrow escape from lithium-ion inferno serves as important lesson for all. New Bedford Guide. https://www.newbedfordguide.com/new-bedford-familys-narrow-escape-lithium-ion-inferno-important-lesson-all/2025/08/09

NL Times. (2025, August 2). Explosion destroys room at Delft asylum shelter; E-scooter battery suspected as cause. NL Times. https://nltimes.nl/2025/08/02/explosion-destroys-room-delft-asylum-shelter-e-scooter-battery-suspected-cause

Saskatoon.ca. (2025, August 10). Lithium battery fire – 1100 block 17th St W. City of Saskatoon. https://www.saskatoon.ca/content/lithium-battery-fire-1100-block-17th-st-w

Shaw, A. (2025, August 4). Safety alert: Battery charger catches fire while driver on road. FOX Carolina. https://www.foxcarolina.com/2025/08/04/safety-alert-battery-charger-catches-fire-while-driver-road

Swansea Bay News. (2025, August 7). E-bike battery explodes during charging, sparking early morning fire in Port Tennant. Swansea Bay News. https://swanseabaynews.com/e-bike-battery-explodes-during-charging-sparking-early-morning-fire-in-port-tennant

Ustimenko, Y. (2025, August 5). Large-scale fire at Lviv’s “Vlasta” hotel: The cause has been revealed. UNN. https://unn.ua/en/news/large-scale-fire-at-lvivs-vlasta-hotel-the-cause-has-been-revealed

West Sussex County Council. (2025, August 6). Chichester house fire sparks lithium-ion battery warning. West Sussex County Council. https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/news/chichester-house-fire-sparks-lithium-ion-battery-warning

Weaver, J. (2025, August 5). Florist destroyed in morning fire. Columbus County News. https://columbuscountynews.com/2025/08/florist-destroyed-in-morning-fire

Comments

SIGN UP AND STAY UPDATED!

Thanks for submitting!

  • X
  • Grey LinkedIn Icon

© 2035 by Talking Business. Powered and secured by Wix

bottom of page