Lithium-Ion Battery Incidents: January 2026

Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere now. We carry them in our pockets, store them in our homes, rely on them at work, and increasingly see them embedded in buildings, vehicles, and infrastructure. Most of the time they do their job quietly. When something goes wrong, though, the consequences can escalate fast.

I put together the photo carousel in this post to highlight recent lithium-ion battery fire incidents from January 2026. The goal isn’t to alarm, but to reinforce practical prevention lessons that matter to both professionals and the public.

Here are just a few examples covered in the slides:

✅ San Marcos, CA – A battery energy storage unit supporting EV charging caught fire in a shopping center parking lot, requiring an extended hazard response.

🔗 https://www.villagenews.com/story/2026/01/15/news/san-marcos-fire-department-responds-to-tesla-battery-energy-storage-system-incident-at-creekside-marketplace/80991.html

✅ Phoenix, AZ – An apartment fire linked to an e-scooter battery trapped residents inside, leading to serious smoke inhalation injuries.

🔗 https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/2-women-remain-hospitalized-after-being-rescued-from-burning-apartment-phoenix-arizona/75-9b0a1659-c03b-4209-b924-abf69cd70063

✅ East Naples, FL – An e-bike charger reportedly exploded inside a home, resulting in a total loss of the structure.

🔗 https://www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/injury-house-fire-east-naples-palm-street/70087819

✅ Harrisonburg, VA – Lithium-ion batteries stored as retail inventory ignited inside a big-box store, with sprinklers preventing wider fire spread.

🔗 https://augustafreepress.com/news/developing-early-morning-fire-reported-at-harrisonburg-walmart/

✅ Boise, ID – A discarded vape battery ignited inside a garbage truck during compaction, underscoring disposal risks.

🔗 https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/discarded-vape-sparks-garbage-fire-boise-parking-lot/277-b97d1575-6760-4c57-9a5e-8eacd121d861

✅ Edmonton, Canada: An e-bike battery fire on an upper floor led to evacuations of dozens of residents and significant property damage.

🔗 https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/article/e-bike-battery-caused-central-edmonton-apartment-fire-efrs/

Charging failures inside occupied spaces, damaged or improperly stored batteries, and disposal pathways that put workers and facilities at risk. At the same time, we see how smoke alarms, sprinklers, trained staff, and early intervention make a real difference.

Swipe through the slides for incident details and key takeaways.

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

You can download it here:

lithium_battery_fire_incidents (13).xlsx

Download XLSX • 89KB

🔍 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 in Occupied Spaces

Several of the incidents occurred while batteries were actively charging inside living spaces, including bedrooms, garages, apartments, and senior living units. These fires often escalated quickly.

Takeaway: Encourage charging batteries in open, non-combustible areas away from sleeping spaces, and avoid unattended or overnight charging whenever possible.

Everyday Consumer Devices

Fires were linked to common items such as e-bikes, e-scooters, laptops, power banks, vacuums, heated clothing, and vapes. These were not specialized or industrial systems, but devices used daily in homes and workplaces.

Takeaway: Reinforce that lithium-ion battery risks are not limited to large systems, everyday consumer products require the same care, proper chargers, and regular inspection for damage.

Importance of Early Detection

Incidents where smoke alarms, fire alarms, or sprinkler systems were present often resulted in limited fire spread and fewer injuries. In contrast, fires without early warning frequently led to greater damage.

Takeaway: Ensure working smoke alarms are installed, tested, and maintained in all sleeping areas and levels of buildings, and provide sprinkler protection where required or feasible.

Disposal and Waste Hazards

Several fires occurred during waste handling, recycling, or garbage collection after batteries were improperly discarded. These incidents placed sanitation workers, facilities, and vehicles at risk.

Takeaway: Promote clear guidance on battery disposal and recycling, emphasizing that lithium-ion batteries should never be placed in regular trash or recycling bins unless specifically allowed.

References

Aviation A2Z. (2026, January). Asiana Airlines A350 passenger injured after cabin fire.https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2026/01/asiana-airlines-a350-passenger-injured-after-cabin-fire/

Augusta Free Press. (2026, January). Early-morning fire reported at Harrisonburg Walmart.https://augustafreepress.com/news/early-morning-fire-reported-at-harrisonburg-walmart/

CBC News. (2026, January). Dog chewing heated ski glove sparks fire in Orléans home.https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/orleans-house-fire-heated-ski-glove-1.7100000

Chronicle Online. (2026, January 21). Homosassa residents rescued from house fire; charging e-bike battery blamed.https://www.chronicleonline.com/news/local/homosassa-residents-rescued-from-house-fire-charging-e-bike-battery-blamed/article_51b3e992-5004-585d-9667-3819c2eb0f4e.html

Gulf Coast News. (2026, January). 1 injured after destructive house fire in East Naples.https://www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/news/local/fire-injured-east-naples/70087819

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service. (2026, January). Exploding battery at Portsmouth home sparks safe charging warnings.https://www.hantsfire.gov.uk/incidents/exploding-battery-at-portsmouth-home/

KIWA Radio. (2026, January). Charging battery gets blame for Sibley house fire that left one homeless.https://kiwaradio.com/local-news/charging-battery-gets-blame-for-sibley-house-fire-that-left-one-homeless/

KITV Island News. (2026, January 27). E-scooter battery blamed for accidental McCully fire, $248K in damage.https://www.kitv.com/news/local/e-scooter-battery-blamed-for-accidental-mccully-fire-248k-in-damage/article_6f5dabfd-bda7-4c97-8521-fd817611b977.html

KIVI TV. (2026, January). Discarded vape sparks garbage truck fire in Boise.https://www.kivitv.com/news/local/discarded-vape-sparks-garbage-truck-fire-in-boise

KSAT. (2026, January). 2 treated for minor burns after explosion in Northeast Side garage, SAFD says.https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2026/01/09/2-treated-for-minor-burns-after-garage-explodes-on-northeast-side-safd-says/

London Fire Brigade. (2026, January 6). Fire at shop with dwellings above – Tottenham.https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/incidents/2026/january/fire-at-shop-with-dwellings-above-tottenham/

London Fire Brigade. (2026, January 11). Fire at hotel – Bayswater.https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/incidents/2026/january/fire-at-hotel-bayswater/

London Fire Brigade. (2026, January 18). Flat fire – Fulham.https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/incidents/2026/january/flat-fire-fulham/

Maui County. (2026, January). County’s new “Maui Method” sets precedent for turning dangerous EV batteries to nonhazardous waste.https://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=13318

Morrisons Cove Herald. (2026, January). Dumpster fire in RS linked to lithium battery.https://www.morriscoveherald.com/news/dumpster-fire-in-rs-linked-to-lithium-battery/

News Channel Nebraska. (2026, January). Collection effort underway for Banner County fire victims.https://www.newschannelnebraska.com/story/collection-effort-underway-for-banner-county-fire-victims

Pulse Tasmania. (2026, January 31). Fire breaks out in Beam e-scooter warehouse in Cambridge.https://pulsetasmania.com.au/news/fire-breaks-out-in-beam-e-scooter-warehouse-in-cambridge/

Ripon Press. (2025, December). Fire at Kenwood Senior Living sparks community support.https://www.riponpress.com/news/fire-at-kenwood-senior-living-sparks-community-support/

Tampa Bay 28. (2026, January). Dade City house fire caused by lithium-ion batteries, Pasco County Fire Rescue says.https://www.tampabay28.com/news/dade-city-house-fire-caused-by-lithium-ion-batteries

The Japan Times. (2026, January). 60% in Japan unaware of mobile battery disposal methods.https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/01/xx/japan/mobile-battery-disposal-fire-risk/

TVP World. (2026, January). Faulty e-scooter battery blamed for warehouse inferno in western Poland.https://tvpworld.com/75321561/faulty-e-scooter-battery-blamed-for-warehouse-inferno-in-western-poland

Village News. (2026, January). San Marcos Fire Department responds to Tesla battery energy storage system incident at Creekside Marketplace.https://www.villagenews.com/story/2026/01/15/news/san-marcos-fire-department-responds-to-tesla-battery-energy-storage-system-incident-at-creekside-marketplace/80991.html

West Sussex County Council. (2026, January). Burgess Hill waste fire sparks battery disposal warning.https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/news/burgess-hill-waste-fire-sparks-battery-disposal-warning/

WTVR CBS 6. (2026, January). 1 hurt in American Family sauna fire; firefighters share likely cause.https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/american-family-fitness-sauna-fire-jan-20-2026

12News. (2026, January). 2 women remain hospitalized after being rescued from burning apartment by Phoenix police officer.https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/2-women-remain-hospitalized-after-being-rescued-from-burning-apartment-phoenix-arizona/75-9b0a1659-c03b-4209-b924-abf69cd70063

BBC News. (2026, January 11). Family home wrecked by electric scooter blaze “in moments”. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-00000000

Cal Coast News. (2026, January). Lithium-ion battery fire injures firefighter in San Luis Obispo. https://calcoastnews.com/2026/01/lithium-ion-battery-fire-injures-firefighter-san-luis-obispo/

ClickOrlando. (2026, January 9). Trash dumped on Winter Springs road after lithium-ion battery explodes in WastePro truck. https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2026/01/09/trash-dumped-on-winter-springs-road-after-lithium-ion-battery-explodes-in-wastepro-truck/

Coventry Telegraph. (2026, January). Huge bin lorry fire as warning issued over lithium batteries. https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/huge-bin-lorry-fire-warning-lithium-batteries-00000000

CTV News Edmonton. (2026, January). E-bike battery caused central Edmonton apartment fire: EFRS. https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/article/e-bike-battery-caused-central-edmonton-apartment-fire-efrs/

Eagle-Tribune. (2026, January). Lawnmower battery starts shed fire in Haverhill. https://www.eagletribune.com/news/local/lawnmower-battery-starts-shed-fire-haverhill/article_000000.html

Gulf Coast News Now. (2026, January 16). San Carlos Park firefighters respond to blaze caused by e-bike battery. https://www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/san-carlos-park-ebike-battery-fire/70022506

Hampshire Chronicle. (2026, January 14). M3: Lorry transporting lithium ion batteries catches fire. https://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/25764395.m3-lorry-transporting-lithium-ion-batteries-catches-fire/

IndyNR. (2026, January). Lithium battery fire at unit caused by charging of portable power bank. https://www.indynr.com/lithium-battery-fire-unit-evans-head

Jersey Shore Online. (2026, January). Lithium battery fire prompts rescue of two dogs. https://www.jerseyshoreonline.com/ocean-county/lithium-battery-fire-prompts-rescue-of-two-dogs/

KENS 5. (2026, January 9). Small explosion at a northeast-side home caused by after-market batteries, SAFD says. https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/san-antonio-texas-aftermarket-lithium-ion-battery-explosion/273-d01a6586-df0a-4018-bb20-6590b497f463

KTVB. (2026, January 22). Vape battery sparks fire in Boise parking lot, highlights lithium disposal risks. https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/discarded-vape-sparks-garbage-fire-boise-parking-lot/277-b97d1575-6760-4c57-9a5e-8eacd121d861

London Fire Brigade. (2026, January). Outbuilding fire – Orpington. https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/incidents/2026/january/outbuilding-fire-orpington/

Medicine Hat News. (2026, January). Local firefighters share battery safety tip following U.S. house fire. https://medicinehatnews.com/news/local-news/2026/01/

MoCo Show. (2026, January 28). Vehicle totaled after lithium battery fire. https://mocoshow.com/2026/01/28/vehicle-totaled-after-lithium-battery-fire/

Patch (Scotch Plains). (2026, January 13). Teen burned in battery explosion at NJ high school. https://patch.com/new-jersey/scotchplains/nj-teen-burned-after-explosion-high-school-hallway

Singapore Civil Defence Force. (2026, January 4). Fire at Bukit Panjang HDB flat linked to powered assisted bicycle battery [Facebook post]. https://www.facebook.com/scdf/posts/000000

West Sussex County Council. (2026, January 20). Shoreham e-bike fire sparks lithium-ion battery warning. https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/news/shoreham-e-bike-fire-sparks-lithium-ion-battery-warning/

WNCT. (2026, January 8). Morehead City tattoo studio catches fire from lithium-ion battery. https://www.wnct.com/local-news/morehead-city-tattoo-studio-catches-fire-from-lithium-ion-battery/

WWMT News Channel 3. (2026, January). Lithium ion battery fire on FedEx truck closes M-51 ramps in Van Buren County. https://wwmt.com/news/local/lithium-ion-battery-fire-fedex-truck-m-51-ramps

WAGM News. (2026, January 21). Working smoke detectors and sprinkler system save Hilltop Apartments in Caribou. https://www.wagmtv.com/2026/01/21/working-smoke-detectors-sprinkler-system-save-hilltop-apartments-caribou/

Yahoo News. (2026, January). House fire in North Park caused by scooter lithium battery. https://news.yahoo.com/house-fire-north-park-caused-scooter-lithium-battery-213000000.html