Lithium-Ion Battery Incidents: December 2025
- Tim Spears
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere. Phones, e-bikes, power banks, mobility devices, even home energy systems. They’re a big part of daily life, but when something goes wrong, the fire behavior can escalate fast and the impacts can be serious.
I pulled together a photo carousel with recent lithium-ion battery fire incidents from December 2025. The goal is to share real-world examples, highlight what happened, and reinforce practical prevention steps we can apply in homes, workplaces, and public spaces.
A few incidents that stood out:
✅ Austin, Texas (USA): An e-bike charging inside an apartment was tied to a fire, with a sprinkler activation limiting damage beyond the unit of origin.
✅ Toronto, Ontario (Canada): An e-bike battery apartment fire sent two people to the hospital with minor injuries, and a separate hotel incident involved a cellphone battery.
✅ Brooklyn Center, Minnesota (USA): An EV caught fire next to fuel pumps, requiring specialized tactics and extended cooling operations.
✅ Collier County, Florida (USA): A discarded toy battery ignited in a garbage truck, forcing the driver to dump the load to stop escalation.
✅ Hobart-bound flight (Australia): A power bank ignited in an overhead bin, prompting renewed attention to in-cabin battery storage rules.
✅ Jakarta, Indonesia: A battery charging incident in an office building led to a fast-moving fire with tragic outcomes, raising serious questions about life safety features and emergency access.
Across these events, a few trends show up repeatedly: charging decisions matter (time, location, and equipment), and where batteries are stored or discarded can turn a small failure into a high-consequence incident.
Swipe through the slide show for the full set of incidents and takeaways, and consider sharing it with a colleague or community partner who’s working on battery safety messaging.
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 November's Reported Lithium-Ion Battery Fires
Reviewing incidents helps us understand how lithium-ion battery failures occur in everyday settings, from homes and vehicles to workplaces and waste facilities. These cases offer practical lessons for preventing similar events.
Charging Practices Matter
Many of the incidents were linked to batteries charging indoors, often overnight or unattended, including e-bikes, scooters, power banks, and consumer electronics. Several fires originated in living spaces or garages where a small failure quickly led to smoke spread or property damage.
Takeaway: Charge lithium-ion devices only when someone is awake and nearby, use manufacturer-approved chargers, and keep batteries away from combustible materials.
Location Drives Consequences
Where a battery fails plays a major role in outcomes. Fires in apartments, hotels, campers, and aircraft cabins required evacuations, disrupted essential services, or posed risks to multiple occupants beyond the point of origin.
Takeaway: Avoid charging or storing batteries in sleeping areas, exit corridors, or shared spaces where a fire could affect others.
Early Detection and Built-In Protection Help
In several incidents, fire alarms, sprinklers, or fire-resistive construction limited damage and prevented injuries, particularly in multifamily buildings and attached garages. These features didn’t stop the battery failure, but they reduced the overall impact.
Takeaway: Maintain working smoke alarms and fire sprinkler systems. Also ensure passive fire protection systems are maintained.
Improper Disposal Is a Hidden Risk
Battery-related fires in garbage trucks and recycling operations highlight how discarded batteries can ignite under compression or movement. These incidents endangered workers and required quick action to prevent escalation.
Takeaway: Never place lithium-ion batteries in household trash; use designated battery recycling or collection programs and educate residents on proper disposal.
Taken together, these incidents reinforce a simple message: lithium-ion battery safety depends on everyday decisions, informed design, and preparedness. Sharing these lessons helps reduce risk before the next incident occurs.
References
ABC News. (2025, December 8). Lithium-ion battery suspected to have sparked Caroline Springs house fire. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-08/lithium-ion-battery-house-fire-caroline-springs-warning/106114446
Beffort, B. (2025). Smart bins bring innovation and safety to lithium battery recycling. Washoe Life. https://washoelife.washoecounty.gov/washoe-county/sustainability/smart-bins-bring-innovation-and-safety-to-lithium-battery-recycling/
Byrd, K. (2025, December 9). Campbell County Fire Dept. report (12/8/25). County 17. https://county17.com/2025/12/09/campbell-county-fire-dept-report-12-8-25/
Cherwell. (2025, December 6). Reuben College fire prompts university-wide warnings on student safety. https://cherwell.org/2025/12/06/oxford-reuben-fire-prompts-university-wide-warnings/
Fleming, K. (2025, December 12). Emergency services called to Glasgow home after lithium battery overheats. STV News. https://news.stv.tv/west-central/emergency-services-called-to-glasgow-home-after-lithium-battery-overheats
French, L. (2025, December 14). Family loses everything in lithium-ion battery fire. FOX4KC. https://fox4kc.com/news/family-loses-everything-in-lithium-ion-battery-fire/
Haas, M. (2025, December 6). Reuben College fire prompts university-wide warnings on student safety. Cherwell. https://cherwell.org/2025/12/06/oxford-reuben-fire-prompts-university-wide-warnings/
Japan Today. (2025, December 10). 120 guests evacuated from Kyoto hotel after portable battery charger catches fire. https://japantoday.com/category/national/120-guests-evacuated-from-kyoto-hotel-after-portable-charger-catches-fire
Jones, B. (2025, December 4). Fire at EMR’s East Tilbury site marks second blaze in two months. letsrecycle.com. https://www.letsrecycle.com/news/fire-at-emrs-east-tilbury-site-marks-second-blaze-in-two-months/
Karmini, N., & Tarigan, E. (2025, December 9). At least 22 people killed in office building fire in Indonesia’s capital. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2025-12-09/at-least-22-people-killed-in-office-building-fire-in-indonesias-capital
Kim, S. (2025, December 2). Lithium-ion battery sparks blaze in Koreatown apartment; LAFD quells fire in 25 minutes. Hoodline. https://hoodline.com/2025/12/lithium-ion-battery-sparks-blaze-in-koreatown-apartment-lafd-quells-fire-in-25-minutes/
Kim, S. (2025, December 9). Swift LAFD response extinguishes apartment fire in Westlake, LA. Hoodline. https://hoodline.com/2025/12/swift-lafd-response-extinguishes-apartment-fire-in-westlake-la-suspected-lithium-ion-battery-to-blame/
Madison Courier. (2025, December 1). Lithium battery cause of small blaze Monday evening | North Vernon. https://www.madisoncourier.com/north_vernon/lithium-battery-cause-of-small-blaze-monday-evening/article_3d2e7f26-a019-5596-a4bb-5bee09197ff2.html
North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service. (2025, December 8). Incident summary for 8 December 2025 – Day shift. https://www.northyorksfire.gov.uk/incident/2025-12-08-incident-summary-for-8th-december-2025-day-shift/
Phillips, N. (2025, December 9). Lithium-ion battery ignited Lakewood apartment fire. Denver Post. https://archive.is/gK81f
Richmondshire Today. (2025, December 8). Fire crew called to deal with e-scooter battery fire in Brompton-on-Swale. https://www.richmondshiretoday.co.uk/fire-crew-called-to-deal-with-e-scooter-battery-fire-in-brompton-on-swale/
Riddell, M. (2025, December 11). Officials urge caution with lithium batteries after destructive local fires. KCTV5. https://www.kctv5.com/2025/12/11/officials-urge-caution-with-lithium-batteries-after-destructive-local-fires/
Shropshire Star. (2025, December 8). Firefighters called to Shrewsbury home following lithium-ion battery fire. https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/local-hubs/shrewsbury/2025/12/08/firefighters-called-to-shrewsbury-home-following-lithium-ion-battery-fire/
TVP World. (2025, December 4). Phone battery explodes at Polish boarding school. https://tvpworld.com/90372139/phone-battery-explodes-at-polish-boarding-school
Walter, K. (2025, December 10). Welland Avenue battery fire causes estimated $1M damage. St. Catharines Standard. https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/lithium-ion-battery-million-dollar-fire-st-catharines/article_fcdbc7c7-b366-563f-ae7e-3d5d5a538995.html
Willard, H. (2025, December 1). Electric vehicle catches fire inside Douglas County garage, 2 residents evacuated. KDVR (FOX31 Denver). https://kdvr.com/news/local/electric-vehicle-catches-fire-inside-douglas-county-garage-2-residents-evacuated/
MustShareNews. (2025, December). Unattended PMA catches fire near Hougang HDB block, burning battery cell flies out of device. https://mustsharenews.com/pma-fire-hougang/
The Guardian. (2025, December). Lithium battery fire on truck shuts down Hume Highway in NSW due to health risk. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/dec/lithium-battery-fire-hume-highway-nsw
KXAN Austin. (2025, December). Electric bike deemed cause of east Austin apartment fire. https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/electric-bike-deemed-cause-of-east-austin-apartment-fire/
Modesto Bee. (2025, December). Modesto fire station closed after lithium battery smoke. https://www.modbee.com/news/local/article/modesto-fire-station-lithium-battery-smoke.html
Toronto Star. (2025, December). Dramatic photos of 2 lithium-ion battery fires in Toronto.https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2025/12/dramatic-photos-of-2-lithium-ion-battery-fires-in-toronto.html
WINK News. (2025, December). Toy battery ignites fire in Collier County garbage truck.https://www.winknews.com/2025/12/toy-battery-ignites-fire-in-collier-county-garbage-truck/
National Transportation Safety Board. (2024, December 1). Lithium-ion battery fires aboard cargo vessel Genius Star XI (Investigation No. DCA24FM013).https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Pages/DCA24FM013.aspx
My Everett News. (2025, December). Everett Fire responds to overnight detached garage fire caused by lithium-ion batteries.https://myeverettnews.com/2025/12/everett-fire-responds-to-overnight-detached-garage-fire-caused-by-lithium-ion-batteries/
Pulse Tasmania. (2025, December). Power bank fire on Hobart-bound flight sparks new airline battery rules.https://pulsetasmania.com.au/news/power-bank-fire-on-hobart-bound-flight-sparks-new-airline-battery-rules/
Manchester Evening News. (2025, December). Crews descend as e-scooter battery charger bursts into flames.https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/crews-descend-e-scooter-battery-charger-bursts-into-flames-28632764
13News Now. (2025, December). Lithium-ion battery causes late-night house fire in Portsmouth, officials say.https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/local/portsmouth/lithium-ion-battery-causes-late-night-house-fire/291-portsmouth-battery-fire
South Wales Argus. (2025, December). Monmouth home destroyed by Christmas Day fire linked to toy battery.https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/23978061.monmouth-home-destroyed-christmas-day-fire-linked-toy-battery/
9News. (2025, December). Cellphone left on charger blamed for fire that destroyed mobile home in Lakewood.https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/mobile-home-fire-lakewood-cellphone-charger/73-8d3b7a6a-2e60-4c8a-9d9c-0a3f4b0c7c8a
WTHR. (2025, December). Lithium-ion battery blamed for fire at Lafayette self-storage facility.https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/lithium-ion-battery-blamed-for-fire-at-lafayette-self-storage-facility/531-6c0d7b59-1c6a-4a44-9e8f-2b0d3c6a9b3a
KELOLAND News. (2025, December). Two house fires occur in LeMars, Iowa.https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/two-house-fires-occur-in-lemars-iowa/
CTV News Toronto. (2025, December). Mobility scooter fire sparks fire at Church and Wellesley.https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/mobility-scooter-fire-sparks-fire-at-church-and-wellesley-1.7169243
Gulf Coast News. (2025, December). Collier County officials warn of battery disposal dangers after garbage truck fire.https://www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/news/local/collier-county-officials-warn-of-battery-disposal-dangers-after-garbage-truck-fire/69889274
Central Oregon Daily. (2025, December). Failed lithium battery in converted electric car blamed for West Bend garage fire.https://centraloregondaily.com/local-news/failed-lithium-battery-in-converted-electric-car-blamed-for-west-bend-garage-fire/
Honolulu Star-Advertiser. (2025, December). King Street apartment fire caused by lithium-ion battery.https://www.staradvertiser.com/2025/12/king-street-apartment-fire-caused-by-lithium-ion-battery/
VnExpress International. (2025, December). Quick-thinking driver rushes flaming battery truck to fire station in HCMC.https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/quick-thinking-driver-rushes-flaming-battery-truck-to-fire-station-in-hcmc-4689123.html
Nine News Australia. (2025, December). E-scooter charger sparked blaze that destroyed home on Peachface Crescent.https://www.9news.com.au/national/springfield-house-fire-e-scooter-charger-peachface-crescent/0e6b1d8b-7e2c-4c61-9f7d-7e9a0a9d9c2f
FOX 5 Atlanta. (2025, December). Villa Rica family loses home, business to fire days before Christmas.https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/villa-rica-family-loses-home-business-fire-days-before-christmas
The New Zealand Herald. (2025, December). Northland news in brief: Fire crews battle lithium-ion battery blaze.https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/northland-news-in-brief-fire-crews-battle-lithium-ion-battery-blaze/
Limitless News. (2025, December). Firefighters use specialized equipment to extinguish electric vehicle fire at gas station in Brooklyn Center.https://www.limitless-news.com/local/firefighters-use-specialized-equipment-to-extinguish-electric-vehicle-fire-at-gas-station-in-brooklyn-center/
CiberCuba. (2025, December). An electric tricycle catches fire inside a house in Bayamo. https://en.cibercuba.com/noticias/incendio-triciclo-electrico-casa-bayamo
Gulf Coast News. (2025, December). House fire in North Naples caused by old battery pack in solar panels. https://www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/news/local/house-fire-north-naples-old-battery-pack-solar-panels/69889272
WMBF News. (2025, December). Horry County Fire Rescue warns of e-bike charging dangers after camper fire. https://www.wmbfnews.com/2025/12/horry-county-fire-rescue-warns-e-bike-charging-dangers-after-camper-fire/
Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service. (2025, December). Two rescued from flat following battery fire. https://www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk/news/two-rescued-from-flat-following-battery-fire/
Local 12 (WKRC). (2025, December). Fire devastates Warren County family’s home on Christmas Day, leaves them with nothing. https://local12.com/news/local/fire-devastates-warren-county-familys-home-on-christmas-day-leaves-them-with-nothing