Seattle Fire Warns After E‑Bike Battery Blaze

Seattle fire officials are warning residents again about lithium-ion battery risks after an e-bike battery pack sparked a fire in a multi-residential building on May 30. KIRO 7, citing the Seattle Fire Department, reported the battery overheated and exploded, igniting the floor and sending shrapnel into a hallway and ceiling. No one was hurt, according to the station. The department used the incident to repeat guidance it has posted for e-bike and e-scooter owners on how to charge, store and dispose of batteries safely. ### What did Seattle fire officials say happened inside the building? KIRO 7 reported on May 30 that an electric bike battery pack sparked the fire in a Seattle apartment building after the lithium-ion battery overheated and exploded. The station said the blast caused fire damage to the floor and shrapnel damage to a hallway and the ceiling. (kiro7.com) Seattle Fire did not identify the building in the material available through its public safety guidance pages, but the department’s safety messaging matched the warnings repeated after the fire: use the charger and cable that came with the device, stop charging when the battery is full, and keep charging devices away from beds, couches and exit doors. (kiro7.com) ### Why are firefighters focused on charging habits? Seattle Fire said in an April 2024 safety post that damaged or defective e-bike and e-scooter batteries can overheat, catch fire or explode. The department told residents not to charge batteries while sleeping, not to charge them under pillows or on upholstered furniture, and not to leave them plugged in once fully charged. (kiro7.com) A February 2024 Seattle Fire client memo said incompatible charging cables can keep a battery charging to the point of overheating and fire. The memo also told residents not to charge e-bikes in bedrooms or near front doors and other exits, because fires that start where people sleep or near escape routes can increase the risk of injury. (fireline.seattle.gov) ### How common are lithium-ion battery fires in Seattle? Seattle Fire said in its February 2024 client memo that the department responds to roughly one fire a week related to lithium-ion batteries. The memo covers batteries used in phones, laptops, scooters, e-bikes and electric vehicles. KUOW reported in April 2024, citing Seattle Fire spokesperson David Cuerpo, that the department saw 22 fires tied to e-bikes and e-scooters in 2023 and had responded to six more by mid-April 2024. (seattle.gov) KUOW also reported that nearly half of the 2023 fires happened at apartments and houses. ### What batteries and chargers does Seattle Fire tell riders to use? (seattle.gov) Seattle Fire said residents should use only the battery and charger designed for the device and should look for products listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. The department’s April 2024 post said riders should follow the manufacturer’s instructions and avoid swapping in batteries or charging gear not intended for the device. (kuow.org) KUOW reported in 2024 that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission had warned about aftermarket Unit Pack Power batteries used on some e-bikes. Seattle Fire’s public guidance does not name a brand in its general safety pages, but it does direct consumers toward manufacturer-approved equipment and away from damaged or malfunctioning batteries. (fireline.seattle.gov) ### What warning signs should riders watch for before a battery fails? Seattle Fire said residents should stop using a battery if it shows swelling, leaking, unusual odor, discoloration, excess heat, physical damage or odd noises. The department’s client memo said a battery can make a popping noise and then a hiss just before failure, and told people to move away, warn others and call 911 if that happens. (kuow.org) The department also said batteries should be kept at room temperature, out of direct sunlight and out of hot vehicles. If it is safe to do so, Seattle Fire said, a damaged device can be moved outside and placed in a metal container with a lid until emergency crews arrive. ### Where can Seattle residents find the next steps on disposal and prevention? (kiro7.com) Seattle Fire said lithium-ion batteries should never be thrown in household trash and should instead be taken to a recycling location or handled through local disposal programs. The department’s February 2024 memo says Seattle residents can arrange a special pickup through Seattle Public Utilities for a fee or bring batteries to a transfer station or household hazardous waste site for free. (kiro7.com) Seattle’s next step for residents is not a hearing or enforcement deadline but a set of posted safety instructions: Seattle Fire’s lithium-ion battery guidance and handouts remain available through the city’s fire-safety pages, and the department’s incident search page lists emergency reports for those seeking official records. (seattle.gov) (fireline.seattle.gov)