Lithium battery fires at home: e-bikes, scooters and tools

Why these fires are different

Lithium-ion batteries store a great deal of energy in a small space. They power phones, laptops, tools, e-bikes, e-scooters, hoverboards and vapes. Used as intended, they are safe. When a cell is damaged, overcharged, overheated or badly made, it can go into thermal runaway: a chain reaction in which the cell heats itself, vents flammable gas and ignites, and then sets off the cells next to it.

The result is not like an ordinary house fire starting.

• It is fast. A battery can go from a wisp of smoke to a jet of flame in seconds.
• It is violent. Cells can burst and throw burning material across a room.
• The smoke is toxic. Burning cells release dense, irritating and poisonous gases.
• It reignites. A battery that appears to be out can flare up again hours or days later.
• Water does not behave as expected. Large amounts of water cool the pack, which is what firefighters use, but a household extinguisher often cannot stop the reaction inside the cells.

Fire services across Ontario have reported a growing number of these fires, with larger batteries in e-bikes and scooters the main concern.

Warning signs

Stop using and stop charging a battery that shows any of these:

• Swelling or bulging, or a case that no longer closes
• Unusual heat during charging or use
• A hissing, popping or crackling sound
• A sweet, chemical or burning smell
• Smoke or vapour
• Leaking, staining or corrosion
• A change in shape or colour
• It will not hold a charge, or the device cuts out

If it is safe, move the device outside, away from anything that can burn. If it is smoking, hissing or too hot to touch, do not pick it up.

If a battery catches fire

1. Get out. Leave the room, close the door behind you, and get everyone out of the building.
2. Call 911 from outside. Tell them it is a lithium battery.
3. Do not try to move a burning battery.
4. Do not go back in for belongings.

For a very small device, such as a phone, and only with a clear exit, an extinguisher or a large quantity of water may knock the fire down. Leave immediately if it does not, and call 911 regardless, because the battery can reignite and the smoke is harmful.

Safe buying

• Buy from reputable sellers. Many fires involve cheap, uncertified batteries, chargers and conversion kits bought online.
• Look for a recognised Canadian certification mark on the device, the battery and the charger, such as CSA, cUL or cETL. In Ontario, electrical products must carry a recognised mark to be sold or used.
• Use only the charger supplied or one the manufacturer specifies for that battery.
• Do not use rebuilt, modified or home-made battery packs.
• Check Health Canada’s recall listings.

Safe charging

• Do not charge overnight or when nobody is home.
• Never charge in a hallway, by the front door or on a staircase. If the battery fails, it will block your way out.
• Charge on a hard, non-combustible surface, away from bedding, sofas, curtains and paper.
• Plug directly into a wall outlet. No extension cords or power bars for e-bikes and scooters.
• Unplug when fully charged.
• Let a battery return to room temperature before charging after use in the cold or heat.
• Do not charge a damaged or wet battery.
• Have a working smoke alarm where you charge.

Safe storage

• At room temperature, away from direct sun, heaters and freezing conditions
• Away from exits and from anything flammable
• At partial charge if stored for a long period, as the manufacturer advises
• Not in a bedroom, if it can be avoided
• A detached garage or shed is better than inside the home for large batteries, provided it does not freeze or overheat

After a crash or damage

A battery that has been dropped, crushed, punctured or soaked may fail later, sometimes days afterwards. Have it checked by the manufacturer or an authorised repairer, or replace it. Keep it outside in the meantime.

Disposal

Do not put lithium batteries in household rubbish or recycling. They cause fires in collection trucks and at waste plants. Take them to a municipal hazardous waste depot or a battery recycling drop-off. Tape over the terminals. For a swollen or damaged battery, ask the depot how they want it brought in.

Condos and apartments

Check your building’s rules. Some corporations and landlords restrict where e-bikes and scooters may be charged or stored. A fire in a corridor or by a unit door traps people. Do not charge in common areas unless they are designated for it.

After the fire: cleanup

Battery fires leave a distinctive mess.

• Soot from burning plastics and electrolyte is black, sticky, acidic and strong-smelling.
• Residues can include fluoride compounds and metal particles. Treat them with more caution than ordinary soot.
• Burst cells may be scattered through the room. Unburned or partly burned cells are still a hazard. Do not put them in the bin. The fire department or a hazardous waste depot can advise.
• Water damage from firefighting.

Sensible steps:

• Stay out until the fire department releases the area
• Do not run the furnace fan
• Do not clean up heavy residue yourself. Wear gloves, eye protection and a respirator even for a brief visit.
• Photograph the scene and the remains of the device
• Keep the charger, the packaging and proof of purchase. Insurers often investigate product failures.
• Have the cleanup done by a restoration contractor, who will remove burned materials, clean soot by dry methods first and then wet, treat contents, clean ducts and deal with odour

Insurance

Fire and smoke damage from a battery fire are generally covered under home, condo and tenant policies. Tenants need their own policy for belongings, living expenses and liability, which matters if a fire that started with your device damages the building or a neighbour’s unit.

More: fire damage restoration.