Lithium-Ion Battery Incidents: October 1 - 18

Lithium-ion batteries power nearly everything around us, from e-bikes and scooters to phones, tools, and even large-scale energy systems. But as their use expands, so does the number of fires linked to damaged, overcharged, or improperly handled batteries.

This photo carousel highlights real-world incidents from October 1–18, offering a snapshot of the diverse locations where these fires are occurring such as homes, vehicles, transit systems, and industrial sites, and what we can learn from them.

Here are a few examples featured in the slides:

✅ Aurora, CO: A duplex fire displaced three residents after a lithium-ion battery ignited in a living room.

🔗 https://kdvr.com/news/local/3-displaced-from-aurora-home-after-accidental-lithium-ion-battery-fire/

✅ Eltham, Australia: Batteries charging in a garage destroyed four vehicles and damaged a home, smoke alarms saved a family.

🔗 https://www.frv.vic.gov.au/eltham-garage-and-house-fire-caused-lithium-ion-batteries

✅ Fulton, NY: An improperly discarded battery sparked a landfill blaze covering 200 feet by 200 feet.

🔗 https://www.localsyr.com/news/local-news/lithium-ion-battery-causes-fire-in-fulton-landfill/

✅ Hong Kong: A backup fan battery ignited on a subway train, injuring two passengers.

🔗 https://www.thestandard.com.hk/hong-kong-news/article/313991/Lithium-battery-fire-on-MTR-South-Island-Line-injures-2-passengers

✅ Chambersburg, PA: A charging e-bike battery caused a $250,000 apartment fire, displacing eight residents.

🔗 https://tristatealert.com/update-chambersburg-fd-confirms-e-bike-battery-to-blame-for-n-franklin-st-fire-lww-fire-found-to-be-electrical-wiring/

Across these incidents, the message is consistent: safe charging, proper disposal, and awareness of warning signs can prevent fires before they start.

👉 Swipe through the slide show to see each case, learn key takeaways, and share these lessons with your teams and communities.

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.xlsx - Octber 2025 (1).csv

Download CSV • 8KB

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

Reviewing real-world incidents helps identify where and how lithium-ion battery incidents continue to occur, from homes and vehicles to workplaces and transportation systems. These cases show both the versatility of lithium-powered technology and the shared risks that arise when batteries are damaged, overcharged, or improperly managed.

1. Charging and Storage Risks

Whether an e-bike in an apartment, a scooter in a camper, or household batteries in a garage. Overheating during charge cycles continues to be observed.

Takeaway: Always charge devices on hard, nonflammable surfaces using the manufacturer’s charger, and avoid charging unattended or overnight.

2. Disposal and Waste Management Fires

Landfills and recycling facilities saw recurring fires caused by discarded lithium batteries mixed with regular waste. In Fulton, NY, a single battery ignited a large landfill fire that spread across 200 feet of debris.

Takeaway: Treat used or damaged batteries as hazardous materials and never place them in household trash. Direct them to recycling or hazardous waste collection sites.

3. Residential Fire Spread and Displacement

Across several incidents, from Aurora, CO to Harriston, Ontario — fires that began with small devices quickly grew to displace residents and destroy property. While no fatalities occurred, these fires illustrate how rapidly lithium-ion battery failures can escalate.

Takeaway: Encourage household readiness: working smoke alarms, clear escape routes, and proper storage of batteries away from sleeping areas.

4. Mobility and Transportation Hazards

Incidents on planes, trains, and in vehicles show that mobile batteries pose unique challenges in confined environments. Fires in carry-on luggage and passenger trains led to smoke, injuries, and emergency landings or evacuations.

Takeaway: When traveling, keep spare batteries in carry-ons where crews can respond quickly and follow all airline and transit safety rules for portable electronics.

5. Training and Public Education Matter

Fire departments in Madison, Chambersburg, and London used these events to issue immediate public safety messages. Sharing lessons helps prevent repeat incidents in similar settings.

Takeaway: Integrate lithium-ion battery safety into community education and responder training to keep pace with the technology’s expanding use.

References

KDVR. (2025, October 3). 3 displaced from Aurora home after accidental lithium-ion battery fire. https://kdvr.com/news/local/3-displaced-from-aurora-home-after-accidental-lithium-ion-battery-fire/

Firehouse. (2025, October 2). Battery storage fire tackled in Glendale, AZ. https://www.firehouse.com/operations-training/video/55320723/battery-storage-fire-tackled-in-glendale-az

Fire Rescue Victoria. (2025, October 5). Eltham garage and house fire caused by lithium-ion batteries. https://www.frv.vic.gov.au/eltham-garage-and-house-fire-caused-lithium-ion-batteries

WSYR-TV. (2025, October 3). Lithium-ion battery sparks fire at Bristol Hill landfill. https://www.localsyr.com/news/local-news/lithium-ion-battery-causes-fire-in-fulton-landfill/

Ellsworth American. (2025, October 1). Scooter with lithium battery catches fire, damages house. https://www.ellsworthamerican.com/news/scooter-with-lithium-battery-catches-fire-damages-house/article_a2ae5df5-5f3a-430a-aabb-2b40260f45bd.html

WJHL. (2025, October 11). Fire chief: Lithium-ion battery suspected cause of Bristol, Va. apartment fire. https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/fire-chief-lithium-ion-battery-suspected-cause-of-bristol-va-apartment-fire/

Northwest Iowa Now. (2025, October 7). Garden hose holds off spreading fire at Estherville home. https://northwestiowanow.com/news/278872-garden-hose-holds-off-spreading-fire-at-estherville-home/

The Mainichi. (2025, October 6). Guests evacuated from Kyoto hotel after portable battery catches fire. https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20251006/p2g/00m/0na/032000c

Live5News. (2025, October 7). House fire prompts Pawleys Island officials’ warning about lithium batteries. https://www.live5news.com/2025/10/07/house-fire-prompts-pawleys-island-officials-warning-about-lithium-batteries/

EloraFergusToday. (2025, October 10). Lithium-ion battery sparks $500,000 fire in Harriston. https://www.elorafergustoday.com/local-news/lithium-ion-battery-sparks-500000-fire-in-harriston-11338227

Japan Today. (2025, October 5). Mobile battery starts emitting smoke inside plane bound for Tokyo’s Haneda airport. https://japantoday.com/category/national/mobile-battery-starts-emitting-smoke-inside-plane-bound-for-tokyo’s-haneda-airport

Yahoo! News / WUTR Utica. (2025, October 15). House fire in Salisbury said to have been caused by lithium battery. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/house-fire-salisbury-said-caused-164422157.html

NEWS CENTER Maine. (2025, October 9). Student’s cellphone catches fire at South Berwick school. https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/public-safety/cellphone-battery-fire-marshwood-high-school-south-berwick-maine/97-bab099d9-e9ee-4ac8-b7f3-98752e359ddb

NBC10 Philadelphia. (2025, October 8). Truck carrying lithium batteries catches fire on Rt. 422 in Montco. https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/big-lots-truck-fire-lithium-batteries-route-422-upper-providence-pennsylvania/4281271/

The Daily Star. (2025, October 14). 7 workers burnt in explosion at illegal battery factory in Narsingdi. https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/accidents-fires/news/7-workers-burnt-explosion-illegal-battery-factory-narsingdi-4008151

The Straits Times. (2025, October 18). Air China flight safely diverted to Shanghai after battery fire in cabin. https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/air-china-flight-safely-diverted-to-shanghai-after-battery-fire-in-cabin

WRAL News. (2025, October 13). Dog sparks Chapel Hill house fire from chewing on lithium-ion battery device. https://www.wral.com/news/local/dog-lithium-ion-battery-fire-home-october-2025/

Patch – Hillsborough, NJ. (2025, October 9). E-bike battery ignites fire at Montgomery apartment. https://patch.com/new-jersey/hillsborough/e-bike-battery-ignites-fire-montgomery-apartment-police

London Fire Brigade. (2025, October 17). Flat fire – Isle of Dogs. https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/incidents/2025/october/flat-fire-isle-of-dogs/

DeshGujarat. (2025, October 15). Lithium battery burst triggers fire at PG in Ahmedabad; three students suffer burn marks. https://deshgujarat.com/2025/10/15/lithium-battery-burst-triggers-fire-at-pg-in-ahmedabad-three-students-suffer-burn-marks/

The Standard (Hong Kong). (2025, October 14). Lithium battery fire on MTR South Island Line injures 2 passengers. https://www.thestandard.com.hk/hong-kong-news/article/313991/Lithium-battery-fire-on-MTR-South-Island-Line-injures-2-passengers

WMTV 15 News. (2025, October 15). Madison Fire Dept. gives lithium-ion battery safety tips after extinguishing flaming e-scooter. https://www.wmtv15news.com/2025/10/15/madison-fire-dept-gives-lithium-ion-battery-safety-tips-after-extinguishing-flaming-e-scooter/

KCRG News. (2025, October 16). Several departments work to put out fire at eastern Iowa business. https://www.kcrg.com/2025/10/16/several-departments-work-put-out-fire-eastern-iowa-business/

Tri-State Alert. (2025, October 13). Chambersburg FD confirms e-bike battery to blame for N. Franklin St. fire. https://tristatealert.com/update-chambersburg-fd-confirms-e-bike-battery-to-blame-for-n-franklin-st-fire-lww-fire-found-to-be-electrical-wiring/