CARMEL, Ind. — The Carmel Fire Department is among many agencies across the U.S. seeing a rise in the number of fires linked to lithium ion batteries.
“From New York to Chicago to Carmel to LA, it’s something that we’re all seeing,” said Tim Griffin, public information officer for the Carmel Fire Department
Last weekend, an electric scooter caught fire in a Carmel garage, prompting new warnings about the potential dangers of these increasingly common batteries.
While the incident in Carmel did not result in any serious damage or injury, officials are using a dramatic video from a different, more destructive battery fire — captured elsewhere — to drive their message home. The Ring camera footage shows flames quickly filling a kitchen, offering a rare glimpse inside a house as it catches fire, and a stark reminder of how fast the flames can spread.
“That video is so priceless because it will be a tool to be taught from,” Griffin said. “It shows you just how quickly that battery goes off. How quickly that fire starts to spread through your house.”
Though the footage was not from a local fire, Griffin said his department is using it to educate residents as lithium ion battery fires become more frequent.
“Don’t go and throw away all your lithium battery objects,” Griffin said. “Remember, there’s thousands in our community, and we’re only seeing a few of these, but we are seeing them. So, it’s something to make sure you’re following those guidelines and obviously, the simple things we always talk about — have working smoke detectors.”
Officials believe the scooter involved in Saturday’s fire in Carmel ignited while it was charging. Crews were able to remove it from the garage before it did any serious harm, aside from some smoke damage. The department advises against leaving e-bikes, scooters and similar devices plugged in unattended. Firefighters also recommend unplugging battery powered bikes and scooters immediately if they begin to feel unusually hot, and paying close attention to manufacturer guidelines, including only using chargers from the same brand as the product.
Another concern is the speed at which fires can spread in modern homes. Griffin noted that newer construction materials may make fires more dangerous.
“Houses are better lit and better insulated, but they also have lighter-weight construction, which can fail under fires,” Griffin said. “And these lithium battery fires can burn at a really high rate, and as you see in the video, when they go, they can go really fast.”
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is working to establish stricter regulations for lithium ion battery-powered devices. Proposed safety measures include tamper-resistant battery packs, protections against incompatible chargers and systems that prevent charging when devices overheat.
The commission is encouraging fire departments and the public to provide feedback over the next two months.
