Lithium-Ion Battery Fires: August 24 - 31
- Tim Spears
- Sep 15
- 4 min read
Lithium-ion batteries power nearly everything we use today, from e-bikes to phones to energy storage sites. But with that convenience comes a growing fire safety challenge.
I’ve put together a photo carousel highlighting recent incidents between August 24–31, 2025, to show the risks these batteries can pose and the lessons we can take from them.
Here are just a few examples:
✅ Charleston, South Carolina (U.S.) – A rechargeable battery failed and sparked a house fire. Thankfully, no injuries occurred.
✅ Parkfield, California (U.S.) – A Tesla energy storage fire prompted evacuations within a two-mile radius.
✅ Petah Tikva, Israel – An apartment fire was traced to a two-wheeled riding device battery, trapping one person who had to be rescued.
✅ Leesburg, Virginia (U.S.) – An e-bike battery ignited inside a home, displacing residents and causing $10,000 in damages.
✅ Tokyo, Japan – A smartphone battery caught fire on a bullet train, injuring a passenger and delaying services.
Using certified devices, avoiding overnight or unattended charging, and ensuring batteries are recycled properly can dramatically reduce risk.
➡️ Swipe through the slide show to see the full roundup, lessons learned, and prevention strategies.
The incidents highlighted in this report span multiple regions, showing that lithium-ion battery fires are not limited to any one country or setting.
I’ve created the spreadsheet with all 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
By reviewing incidents across homes, workplaces, and public spaces, we can draw lessons that help prevent future fires and improve community safety.
Fires Across Many Settings
Incidents occurred in homes, apartments, medical centers, a canal boat, a waste truck, and even on a bullet train. This demonstrates that lithium-ion battery fires are not limited to one setting. They can occur anywhere batteries are charged, stored, or used.
Takeaway: Fire prevention strategies must address a wide range of occupancies, from residential to industrial facilities and transportation systems.
Charging Practices Matter
Several fires were linked directly to charging or recently charged devices, including hoverboards in Baton Rouge, an e-bike in Leesburg, and a chainsaw battery in Brunswick Hills.
Takeaway: Always follow manufacturer instructions, avoid overnight or unattended charging, and use only approved chargers and batteries.
Improper Disposal and Repair Risks
The Charleston house fire involved a battery awaiting recycling. A Wandsworth recycling truck fire also highlighted the hazards of discarded batteries.
Takeaway: Promote safe disposal at designated recycling points and discourage tampering or makeshift battery repairs, which can increase fire risk.
Severe Consequences Despite Quick Response
While many fires were contained quickly, sometimes by residents using extinguishers, they still caused displacement, property damage, or injuries. The Leesburg fire displaced residents and injured one, and the Tokyo train incident caused burns and delays.
Takeaway: Even small battery fires can escalate rapidly; early detection, evacuation planning, and fire extinguisher training are essential.
Need for Public Awareness and Policy
Governments and safety agencies are responding with new measures: Singapore emphasized certified devices and extinguishers in residential settings, NHTSA launched an EV response guide portal, and TSA restricted certain lithium-powered tools from checked baggage.
Takeaway: Ongoing education, enforcement of standards, and public messaging are key tools for reducing risks.
By studying these incidents, we reinforce the message that lithium-ion batteries, while important to modern life, demand careful handling, charging, and disposal to keep communities safe.
References
7News WJLA. (2025, August 26). Misuse of small battery pack causes a fire at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center. Retrieved from https://wjla.com/news/local/misuse-small-battery-pack-fire-medstar-montgomery-medical-center
Cleveland 19 News. (2025, August 27). Lithium-ion battery catches on fire in Brunswick Hills home. Retrieved from https://www.cleveland19.com/2025/08/27/lithium-ion-battery-catches-fire-brunswick-hills-home
IAFF. (2025, August 27). NHTSA launches new website for Emergency Response Guides and Rescue Sheets. Retrieved from https://www.iaff.org/news/nhtsa-launches-new-website-for-emergency-response-guides-and-rescue-sheets
KION 46. (2025, August 31). Evacuation orders lifted in Parkfield Tesla battery fire at California Solar Flats. Retrieved from https://kion546.com/2025/08/31/evacuation-orders-lifted-in-parkfield-tesla-battery-fire-at-california-solar-flats
KSBY. (2025, August 24). Fire crews respond to lithium battery fire inside Paso Robles home. Retrieved from https://www.ksby.com/news/local-news/fire-crews-respond-to-lithium-battery-fire-inside-paso-robles-home
Loudoun Now. (2025, August 29). Warning issued after Leesburg e-bike fire. Retrieved from https://www.loudounnow.com/public_safety/warning-issued-after-leesburg-e-bike-fire/article
Los Angeles Times. (2025, August 26). TSA bans some hairstyling tools from suitcases: Which ones and why. Retrieved from https://www.latimes.com/travel/story/2025-08-26/tsa-bans-some-hairstyling-tools-from-suitcases
Nippon TV News 24 Japan. (2025, August 28). Smartphone battery catches fire on bullet train, injures one. Retrieved from https://news.ntv.co.jp/category/society/smartphone-battery-catches-fire-bullet-train
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service. (2025, August 29). Fire Service issues reminder on dangers of lithium-ion batteries following Gayton Marina boat fire. Retrieved from https://www.northantsfire.gov.uk/2025/08/29/fire-service-issues-reminder-on-dangers-of-lithium-ion-batteries-following-gayton-marina-boat-fire
NYC.gov. (2025, August 28). The FDNY releases PSA on serious risks posed by home-based lithium-ion battery workshops. Retrieved from https://www.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/psa-lithium-ion-battery-workshops
The Advocate. (2025, August 29). Malfunctioning hoverboard battery caused Baton Rouge house fire, firefighters say. Retrieved from https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/malfunctioning-hoverboard-battery-caused-baton-rouge-house-fire
The Straits Times. (2025, August 30). AMD battery packs, electrical faults likely causes of recent residential fires. Retrieved from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/amd-battery-packs-electrical-faults-likely-causes-of-recent-residential-fires
Valley News Live. (2025, August 26). Lithium-Ion Battery malfunction causes e-bike to be destroyed in West Fargo. Retrieved from https://www.valleynewslive.com/2025/08/26/lithium-ion-battery-malfunction-causes-e-bike-fire-west-fargo
Wandsworth Borough Council. (2025, August 26). Fire in waste collection truck caused by small lithium battery. Retrieved from https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/news/news-archive/2025-news/fire-in-waste-collection-truck-caused-by-small-lithium-battery
Waste Management Review. (2025, August 27). Navigating battery circularity at Waste Expo Australia. Retrieved from https://wastemanagementreview.com.au/navigating-battery-circularity-at-waste-expo-australia
WCIA. (2025, August 30). UPDATE: Charging battery blamed for causing fire on U of I campus. Retrieved from https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/update-charging-battery-blamed-for-causing-fire-on-u-of-i-campus
WCSC Live5News. (2025, August 30). Battery failure led to Charleston house fire, investigators say. Retrieved from https://www.live5news.com/2025/08/30/battery-failure-led-charleston-house-fire-investigators-say
Ynet. (2025, August 25). Fire and Rescue Services: Source of last night's fire in Petah Tikva. Retrieved from https://www.ynetnews.com/article/fire-and-rescue-services-source-of-last-nights-fire-petah-tikva