Electric bike battery starts fire at Raleigh home
No one was injured Sunday when an electric bicycle battery caught fire inside the garage of a Raleigh home.
The fire was reported before noon at a home in the 500 block of Guilford Circle, near Five Points.
Firefighters said the blaze started in the garage by a leaking lithium ion battery and spread to the home, causing significant damage. No one was injured.
The battery was on a Swagtron E-bike. WRAL News on Monday reached out to Swagtron and was told it would take between 24 to 72 hours for a response.
The Raleigh Fire Department said Sunday's fire is the only e-bike fire crews have responded to in the last few years, but other fires have been linked to lithium Ion batteries.
The Consumer Product and Safety Commission received reports of at least 208 micro-mobility fires or overheating incidents in 39 states between January 2021 and November 2022. Five were linked to e-scooters, three to e-bikes and 11 to hoverboards.
Last year, WRAL News reported when lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes are poorly made, overused, overcharged or used with the wrong charger, they can cause fires, and those fires can be very violent and difficult to put out.
Lithium batteries are rechargeable and can be found in cellphones, electric toothbrushes and vape pens. If you use an e-bike, make sure the battery has a UL Certified label.
In December 2021, the New York City Fire Department said a battery from an electric bike was the cause for a fatal apartment fire in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan. One man died, and two children had to cling to an exterior pipe to escape.
In January, a low-voltage, lithium-ion battery from a Tesla exploded inside a Cary home. According to Cary police, the owners of the car removed one of the batteries from the vehicle and took it inside their house on Forest Run Place, off Kildaire Farm Road, to charge it.
The home was evacuated, and four people were rushed outside due to smoke inhalation. No one was injured.
Firefighters said the accident in Cary is why users should follow directions in the owner's manual when charging any battery – whether it's for a car, lawn equipment or even a toy.
Tips for preventing e-battery fires
- If you’re shopping for an e-bike, look for one with a battery that has a UL Certified label.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging and storage, and always use the power adapter and cord supplied by the manufacturer.
- Don’t ever leave the battery charging overnight or while you’re not home.
- If you need a new battery, buy it from the same manufacturer as your e-bike.
- If at any time the battery starts doing anything unusual, like making a hissing sound, or smells odd, you should unplug it immediately.
- Always keep batteries away from heat sources such as heaters and direct sunlight when you’re charging them, and make sure there’s no flammable material nearby.
