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Lithium-Ion Battery Fires in Early December 2024: Understanding the Risks and Enhancing Community Safety

Writer's picture: Tim SpearsTim Spears
Dec 22, 202411 min read


Recent incidents underscore the alarming fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries. In Ravenswood, Western Australia, a lithium battery fire destroyed a family home, leaving five people homeless and causing injuries (News.com.au, 2024). Similarly, a laptop battery explosion in Sainte-Foy, Quebec, caused a fire that narrowly avoided severe damage (Euro Day, 2024). In San Francisco, California, an e-bike battery fire triggered a building's sprinkler system, preventing major harm but highlighting the potential dangers of improper charging (Merced Sun-Star, 2024). These stories are part of a global pattern of incidents emphasizing the need for increased awareness and preventive measures.


Lithium-ion batteries power a wide range of devices—from smartphones to e-bikes and even electric vehicles. These rechargeable batteries are valued for their efficiency but can overheat, catch fire, or explode under certain conditions. The primary risks stem from defects, damage, or improper use, which can lead to a process known as thermal runaway. Thermal runaway occurs when a battery’s internal temperature rapidly escalates, often resulting in fire or explosion. According to the National Fire Protection Association (2022) and Underwriters Laboratories (2023), avoiding overcharging, using certified devices, and adhering to manufacturer guidelines are essential to mitigating these risks.


Real Stories of Lithium-Ion Battery Fires


Lithium Battery Explosion Causes Basement Fire in Lviv


Location: Lviv, Ukraine


Summary:


On December 14, 2024, a fire broke out in the basement of a three-story residential building on Knyazya Sviatoslava Square in Lviv. The fire started at approximately 8:27 p.m. due to the explosion of a lithium-ion battery, which ignited household items. Firefighters arrived to find thick smoke emanating from the basement, requiring the use of personal protective equipment. The fire, covering an area of 2 square meters, was extinguished within 17 minutes of their arrival. The response involved 8 rescuers and 2 special equipment units.



Infant Suffers Severe Burns from Exploding Phone Battery


Location: Russia


Summary:


On December 9, 2024, a nine-month-old baby in Russia sustained severe burns after a mobile phone exploded while the father was putting the baby to bed. Sparks from the phone ignited the baby’s pajamas and bedding. The father managed to extinguish the flames before rushing the child to the hospital. The incident highlights the potential dangers of lithium-ion batteries in consumer electronics and emphasizes the importance of safe usage and handling.



Battery Factory Fire and Collapse Injures 14 in New Delhi


Location: New Delhi, India


Summary:


On December 7, 2024, a fire erupted at a battery manufacturing facility in the Peera Garhi area of New Delhi around 4 a.m. The blaze caused the building to collapse, injuring 14 people, including 13 firefighters and a security guard. Emergency services rescued three individuals from the debris using 35 fire engines. The fire involved inflammable materials such as acid and plastic used in battery production, producing heavy smoke in the affected area. Poor safety standards were noted as a contributing factor to the incident.



Overheated Battery Pack Causes Fire in Portland Home


Location: Portland, New York, USA


Summary:


On December 6, 2024, an overheated lithium-ion battery pack caused a structure fire at 6996 Route 5 in the town of Portland, New York. The fire was reported at 2:30 p.m., and multiple fire departments responded. The fire, ruled accidental by the Chautauqua County Fire Investigation Team, resulted in minimal damage and was contained to the area of origin. No injuries were reported.



Chapel Hill Pulls Electric Buses After Fire Destroys One


Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA


Summary:


On December 10, 2024, an electric bus operated by Chapel Hill Transit caught fire at its headquarters off Millhouse Road. The bus was parked and not charging when the fire started. It took firefighters two hours to extinguish the blaze, which completely destroyed the bus valued at over $1 million. The fire department kept water flowing overnight to prevent reignition. In response, Chapel Hill Transit has suspended the operation of its fleet of 10 electric buses while investigating the cause of the fire.



Fire in Ranchi Destroys Battery Shop and Adjacent Stores


Location: Ranchi, Jharkhand, India


Summary:


On December 4, 2024, a fire broke out in a battery shop on Lalji Hirji Road near Sarjana Chowk in Ranchi, India, spreading to adjacent commercial establishments. The fire began in the morning and was extinguished after three hours of efforts by six fire apparatus from three stations. A suspected electrical short circuit was the initial cause, and the presence of lithium-ion batteries posed a heightened risk of explosions. The fire caused significant damage to multiple shops in the commercial center.



Abandoned eBike Battery Catches Fire in Franklin Township


Location: Franklin Township, Pennsylvania, USA


Summary:


On December 4, 2024, firefighters responded to an eBike fire in a lot near the Miners Market on Route 209, Franklin Township. The fire began in the battery of the bike, which had been reported stolen and abandoned for several weeks. The incident caused no injuries, and the eBike’s value was estimated between $1,000 and $5,000.



Truck Fire in Boise Claims Toddler’s Life and Injures Family


Location: Boise, Idaho, USA


Summary:


On December 14, 2024, a fire in a truck near West Irving Street and North Manville Street in Boise claimed the life of a two-year-old girl and caused severe injuries to her parents and two siblings. The family believes the fire was caused by a lithium-ion battery used for jump-starting another vehicle. The fire rapidly engulfed the truck, also destroying power tools and other equipment. The family is currently undergoing treatment at a burn center in Salt Lake City.


Link: KTVB News


Manhattan E-Bike Shop Fire Triggers Renewed Warnings


Location: Manhattan, New York, USA


Summary:


On December 3, 2024, a fire at a Manhattan eBike shop, caused by lithium-ion batteries, required an all-hands FDNY response. The fire began at 3:08 a.m. and was extinguished by 4:32 a.m. Despite prior enforcement and violations issued to the shop, the unsafe storage of batteries led to the fire, which later reignited due to damaged batteries. The FDNY continues to emphasize the need for certified batteries and proper charging and storage practices to avoid similar incidents.



Lithium Battery Sparks Fire at Staten Island High School


Location: Staten Island, New York, USA


Summary:


On December 6, 2024, a fire caused by a lithium-ion battery occurred at Staten Island Technical High School in New Dorp. The fire was reported just after 7 p.m. and was extinguished by FDNY units by 7:47 p.m. Approximately 12 units and 60 emergency personnel responded. A firefighter sustained minor injuries but refused treatment. The fire caused no injuries among students or staff, and the school resumed normal operations shortly after.


Link: SILive.com


Phone Charger Fire Prompts Warning About Cheap Cables


Location: Auckland, New Zealand


Summary:


On November 23, 2024, a fire occurred at a home in Greenhithe, Auckland, due to a cheap phone charger overheating on soft material. Fire and Emergency New Zealand emphasized the dangers of using uncertified chargers, which are increasingly linked to house fires. Authorities recommended using original chargers and ensuring devices are charged on hard, flat surfaces with proper ventilation.


Link: 1News


Power Bank Charging Sparks Fire at Hong Kong Youth Hostel


Location: Tin Shui Wai, Hong Kong


Summary:


On December 12, 2024, a fire linked to a power bank charging incident occurred at Sky One Hostel, located at 8 Tin Sau Road, Tin Shui Wai. The fire was extinguished by the hostel's automatic sprinkler system before emergency services arrived. No injuries or evacuations were reported. Investigators suspect a short circuit during the charging process as the cause.



Fire at Battery Recycling Facility in Lancaster


Location: Lancaster, Ohio, USA


Summary:


On December 10, 2024, a fire broke out at the Cirba Solutions battery recycling facility on Quarry Road, Lancaster. The fire started around 3 a.m. in a pallet of used batteries and was quickly contained by the Lancaster Fire Department. No injuries were reported. The incident highlights the fire risks associated with used battery storage and recycling operations.



E-Bike Battery Sparks House Fire in Guernsey


Location: Vale, Guernsey


Summary:


On December 11, 2024, a house fire occurred in Vale, Guernsey, due to an e-bike battery. The fire was reported around 4 a.m., and working smoke detectors alerted the family, allowing everyone to escape uninjured. Firefighters extinguished the blaze within an hour. Guernsey Fire and Rescue issued safety guidelines for e-bike battery use, including using proper chargers, avoiding overcharging, and ensuring batteries are stored away from escape routes.


Link: Island FM


Lettsworth House Fire Caused by Lithium Battery


Location: Lettsworth, Louisiana, USA


Summary:


On December 4, 2024, a house fire in Lettsworth, Louisiana, was caused by a lithium battery charging in a garage. The fire spread to the main house and threatened a propane tank and neighboring property. Firefighters prevented further damage, but the home was a total loss. While no injuries were reported, the family’s dog tragically perished in the fire.


Link: WBRZ News


Vape Battery Explosion Leaves Nottingham Woman Homeless


Location: Nottingham, England, UK


Summary:


On November 14, 2024, a vape battery exploded in a living room in Nottingham, igniting a fire that destroyed a home and rendered Donna King homeless. The fire caused extensive damage, including smoke damage throughout the house, and required firefighters to rescue the occupants via a ladder. Donna lost all her belongings, including Christmas gifts and essential items. Authorities determined the cause was accidental, highlighting the dangers of lithium-ion batteries in vapes.


Link: The Sun


Laptop Battery Sparks $8,000 Garage Fire in Lincoln


Location: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA


Summary:


On December 14, 2024, a laptop battery caused a garage fire at a home near 20th Street and Pine Lake Road in Lincoln. The fire started while the laptop was resting on a laser printer and destroyed several personal items. The damage was estimated at $8,000. Firefighters quickly contained the fire, and no injuries were reported.


Link: KLKN News


Lithium Battery Fire Destroys Barn in Leesburg


Location: Leesburg, Virginia, USA


Summary:


On December 3, 2024, a lithium-ion battery pack caused a fire that destroyed a 40-foot barn in Leesburg, Virginia. The fire started around 2 a.m. and spread to nearby woods before being contained by firefighters. No injuries were reported, but the damages were estimated at $80,000. Officials emphasized the importance of proper battery handling to avoid similar incidents.



Fire Chief’s Home Damaged by Lithium Battery Explosion


Location: Dashwood, British Columbia, Canada


Summary:


On November 30, 2024, a newly purchased lithium-ion battery exploded in the home of Dashwood Volunteer Fire Department Chief Nick Acciavatti. The battery, intended for an airsoft gun, was not plugged in or charging when it detonated, igniting a fire in a bedroom closet. Working smoke alarms and quick action prevented the fire from spreading, but the incident highlights the risks associated with defective batteries.



Pensioner Homeless After E-Scooter Battery Sparks Blaze


Location: South Townsville, Queensland, Australia


Summary:


On December 6, 2024, an e-scooter battery fire destroyed a two-story home in South Townsville, leaving 67-year-old Darryl Hurst homeless. The fire, which began in the garage, engulfed the house within minutes. The Queensland Fire Department reported that lithium-ion batteries have caused hundreds of fires in recent years, often due to improper use or damaged products.


Link: ABC News


Laptop Battery Explosion Sparks Fire in Sainte-Foy


Location: Sainte-Foy, Quebec, Canada


Summary:


On December 1, 2024, a laptop battery explosion caused a fire in a home in Sainte-Foy. The fire started after the laptop, which was plugged in and resting on a fabric armchair, overheated and exploded. The occupant extinguished the fire using water and removed the damaged couch. Damage was minimal, and no injuries were reported. Fire officials emphasized proper ventilation for laptops to prevent overheating.


Link: Euro Day


Dogs Rescued from E-Bike Battery Fire in San Francisco Apartment


Location: San Francisco, California, USA


Summary:


On December 15, 2024, an e-bike battery fire in a San Francisco apartment triggered the building’s sprinkler system, limiting damage to the apartment. Two dogs were safely rescued by firefighters. The fire occurred in an apartment near Sixth and Natoma streets while the battery was charging. No injuries to humans were reported.



Lithium Battery Fire at Northampton Drive-Thru Sparks Safety Concerns


Location: Northampton, Massachusetts, USA


Summary:


On December 7, 2024, a lithium-ion battery in a jumper pack exploded at a CVS drive-thru in Northampton. The driver escaped safely, and a quick-thinking employee extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher. While the cause of the explosion remains unknown, fire officials highlighted the dangers of thermal runaway and improper battery use. No injuries were reported.



Lithium Battery Fire Leaves Western Australian Family Homeless


Location: Ravenswood, Western Australia, Australia


Summary:


On December 3, 2024, a lithium-ion battery fire destroyed a family home in Ravenswood, leaving a couple and their three children homeless weeks before Christmas. The fire, which started around 10 p.m., destroyed the house and two cars. The father suffered burns and smoke inhalation, while two police officers assisting at the scene also experienced smoke inhalation. Authorities described lithium-ion batteries as a rapidly growing fire risk and emphasized the need for safe usage and storage practices.



Each of these incidents reinforces the importance of understanding and mitigating the risks posed by these powerful energy sources.



Safety Tips for Lithium-Ion Battery Use


To prevent lithium-ion battery fires:


  • Use certified devices and chargers (Underwriters Laboratories, 2023).

  • Avoid overcharging and keep devices away from flammable materials (National Fire Protection Association, 2022).

  • Store batteries at room temperature and dispose of damaged units at proper recycling centers (Underwriters Laboratories, 2023).


Q: How can I identify a faulty battery?


A: Look for signs like swelling, leaks, strange odors, excessive heat, or unusual noises. If you observe any of these, stop using the device immediately (National Fire Protection Association, 2022).


Have you experienced or witnessed a lithium-ion battery incident? Share your story and how you responded in the comments below to raise awareness!


Proactive Measures Save Lives


Lithium-ion batteries are an important part of modern life but pose significant fire risks if not handled correctly. By implementing fire prevention strategies and enhancing community awareness, we can reduce these dangers and promote safer environments. For more information, visit the NFPA and UL websites.


References




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