Lithium-Ion Battery Fires: June 22 - 30

Lithium-ion battery fires are being reported in a wide range of occupancies, including residential buildings, recycling centers, vehicles, and public facilities. The incident summaries in this slide show highlight the common factors and consequences associated with these events, including injuries, fatalities, property loss, and operational disruptions. By reviewing these recent cases, fire and building safety professionals can better understand the evolving risks, the circumstances that contribute to these fires, and the importance of prevention, safe charging, and proper battery disposal in protecting both people and property.

Here are just a few of the most notable cases from the end of June:

✅ Charlotte, NC, USA: A lithium battery caused a fire at a recycling plant just days after opening, highlighting risks in waste management. https://www.wbtv.com/2025/06/25/fire-breaks-out-inside-east-charlotte-recycling-plant/

✅ Kingsbridge Heights, NY, USA: Charging batteries for motorized vehicles sparked a five-alarm fire, injuring 15 and damaging three homes. https://bronx.news12.com/fire-marshal-kingsbridge-heights-fire-that-injured-15-caused-by-lithium-ion-battery

✅ Potladurthi, India: A fatal explosion occurred when an electric scooter battery ignited while charging indoors, underscoring dangers of charging in living spaces. https://telanganatoday.com/electric-scooty-battery-explosion-in-andhra-pradesh-kills-elderly-woman

✅ Rockville, MD, USA: A lithium-powered portable generator fire displaced a family and caused significant home damage. https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/community/portable-generator-house-fire-rockville-lithium-ion-battery/65-165792dd-e4d2-46aa-98fb-d1a9f5750c01

✅ Westmere, New Zealand: Battery packs stored in a vehicle caught fire overnight, spreading to another vehicle and damaging a nearby house. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/westmere-ev-blaze-two-cars-on-fire-house-exterior-damaged/JPBYY4CGKVCXXMABZAPPJ3CO3A/

Swipe through the slide show for more details and safety lessons you can share with your team or community. Let’s work together to reduce risk and keep

people safe.

Lessons Learned

• Lithium-ion battery fires can begin during charging or shortly after, fire are were observed when batteries were left unattended or charged indoors.

• Storing or charging batteries near exits or on escape routes can increase the risk to occupants and complicate emergency response.

• Improper disposal of batteries in regular waste streams caused multiple fires in garbage trucks and recycling facilities.

• Using non-approved chargers or modifying battery systems contributed to several incidents.

• Early detection by smoke alarms and quick evacuation were critical in reducing injuries and limiting property loss.

• Incidents in both residential and commercial settings highlight the importance of safe storage, proper disposal, and adherence to manufacturer instructions for all lithium-ion battery-powered devices.

References

• Cano, J. (2025, July 2). Electric scooter battery explodes and sparks a serious fire in Malaga flat. Sur in English. https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/malaga-city/electric-scooter-battery-explodes-and-sparks-serious-20250702091504-nt.html#goog_rewarded

• City of Winnipeg. (2025, June 27). Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responds to fire on Magnus Avenue. https://www.winnipeg.ca/news/2025-06-27-winnipeg-fire-paramedic-service-responds-fire-magnus-avenue

• Coffman, D. (2025, June 23). Walkerville fire sends man to hospital with second-degree burns. AM800 CKLW. https://www.am800cklw.com/news/fire-in-walkerville-sends-one-person-to-hospital.html

• Essex County Fire and Rescue Service. (2025, June 30). Safety advice issued after E battery fire. https://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/safety-advice-issued-after-e-battery-fire-2025-06-30-01-43

• Express News Service. (2025, June 28). Electric bus catches fire in Telangana's Karimnagar. The New Indian Express. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2025/Jun/29/alcoholic-sets-mother-on-fire-over-rs-5-lakh-in-telanganas-warangal

• Guevara, S. B. (2025, June 26). Lithium battery sparks fire in Maryland home basement, officials say. WJLA 7News. https://wjla.com/news/local/lithium-battery-sparks-fire-in-maryland-home-basement-officials-say

• Hansen, B. J. (2025, June 23). Fire quickly extinguished Curtis Creek Elementary. myMotherLode.com. https://www.mymotherlode.com/news/local/4028190/fire-quickly-extinguished-curtis-creek-elementary.html

• Herald Team. (2025, June 24). Electric scooter catches fire while charging in Panjim residential complex. Herald Goa. https://www.heraldgoa.in/goa/goa/electric-scooter-catches-fire-while-charging-in-panjim-residential-complex/424280

• Hernandez, D. (2025, June 23). Fort Buchanan Fire Department and Emergency Services Control Fire Near the Installation. DVIDS. https://www.dvidshub.net/news/501232/fort-buchanan-fire-department-and-emergency-services-control-fire-near-installation

• Hilotin, J. (2025, June 25). High-capacity power bank explodes at Philippine airport: What happened next. Gulf News. https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/philippines/power-bank-explodes-at-philippine-airport-1.500176232

• Huot, J. (2025, June 23). Two in hospital following fire caused by charging e-bike in White Rock, N.S. CTV News Atlantic. https://www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/nova-scotia/article/two-sent-to-hospital-after-charging-e-bike-causes-house-fire-in-white-rock-ns/

• IANS. (2025, June 27). Electric scooty battery explosion in Andhra Pradesh kills elderly woman. Telangana Today. https://telanganatoday.com/electric-scooty-battery-explosion-in-andhra-pradesh-kills-elderly-woman

• Kierans, J. (2025, June 28). Recall fears after SECOND fire on board ambulance breaks out amid warning for staff & probe into possible battery fault. The Irish Sun. https://www.thesun.ie/news/15452820/recall-second-fire-ambulance-warning-staff-probe-battery-fault/

• London Fire Brigade. (2025, June 30). Maisonette fire – Earlsfield. https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/incidents/2025/june/maisonette-fire-earlsfield/

• Newsradio WGAN. (2025). Custom battery charging pack blamed for car fire in Hollis. https://wgan.com/news/074470-custom-battery-charging-pack-blamed-for-car-fire-in-hollis/

• NZ Herald. (2025, June 29). Westmere blaze: Two vehicles on fire, house exterior damaged. NZ Herald. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/westmere-ev-blaze-two-cars-on-fire-house-exterior-damaged/JPBYY4CGKVCXXMABZAPPJ3CO3A/

• Odell, C. (2025, June 30). Grandson badly burnt in Northampton house fire rescued nan and dog from blaze that took everything they owned. Northampton Chronicle & Echo. https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/people/grandson-badly-burnt-in-northampton-house-fire-rescued-nan-and-dog-from-blaze-that-took-everything-they-owned-5201829

• Powell, J.-J., Harfmann, T., & Torres, R. (2025, June 22). FDNY: Lithium-ion batteries cause 5-alarm fire Sunday in Kingsbridge Heights. News 12 Bronx. https://bronx.news12.com/fire-marshal-kingsbridge-heights-fire-that-injured-15-caused-by-lithium-ion-battery

• Proxmire, C. (2025, June 26). Discarded scooter’s lithium-ion battery catches fire in garbage truck in Troy. Oakland County Times. https://oaklandcounty115.com/2025/06/26/discarded-scooters-lithium-ion-battery-catches-fire-in-garbage-truck-in-troy/

• Rosenthal, S. (2025, June 25). Lithium ion-powered portable generator fire displaces Rockville family. WUSA9. https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/community/portable-generator-house-fire-rockville-lithium-ion-battery/65-165792dd-e4d2-46aa-98fb-d1a9f5750c01

• Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service. (2025, June 23). People reminded to dispose of batteries safely following fire. https://www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk/news/posts/people-reminded-to-dispose-of-batteries-safely-following-fire/

• Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service. (2025, June 27). Lithium battery warning following bin lorry fire. https://www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk/news/posts/lithium-battery-warning-following-bin-lorry-fire/

• Stropes, G. (2025, June 26). SFD responds to fifth-wheel fire June 24. The Mountain Mail. https://www.themountainmail.com/news/fifth-wheel-catches-fire-at-walmart/article_488f4fed-c268-4b8a-b3de-70c8ab306d71.html

• The Mainichi. (2025, June 24). Japan waste facility fire likely caused by Li-ion battery, repairs to cost $27 million. The Mainichi. https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20240624/p2a/00m/0na/001000c

• Tucker, L. (2025, June 25). Charlotte recycling plant catches fire days after opening. WBTV. https://www.wbtv.com/2025/06/25/fire-breaks-out-inside-east-charlotte-recycling-plant/