A fire caused by Lithium-ion batteries, whether from electric vehicles (EVs), e-bikes, or other battery-powered devices such as nicotine vape pens, has happened, but how often and why are the questions that we’ll attempt to get answers for.
In February 2025, CBS News reported a massive fire that took hours to put out at EMR Metal Recycling, a junkyard in Camden, New Jersey.Camden Fire Department Chief Jesse Flax said that the blaze broke out around 5 p.m. on February 21, a Friday, and escalated so much that between 15 and 20 fire companies responded to try and put out the flames. The fire was under control around the next day at 1:15 a.m., but it wasn’t until 5 a.m. that it was completely extinguished.
EMR told the news outlet that the conflagration was caused by a lithium-ion battery that was “wrongly delivered” to the shredding facility and was “undetectably concealed within scrap metal.” This was confirmed by a spokesperson from Camden County. As per Camden County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli, the fire was “the sixth—and by far, the largest—at the facility since 2021.”
The incident not only traumatized the locals but also added to their worries about using lithium-ion batteries. Among many instances found online, this recent fire incident has become a testament that lithium-ion batteries can indeed catch a blaze. Not only that, flames from these batteries are difficult to extinguish.
Having mentioned all these, some questions remain: Are lithium-ion batteries prone to fire? Or, are these batteries inherently susceptible to combust on their own?
Are Lithium-Ion Batteries Fire Hazards?
Lithium-ion batteries are designed to be both lightweight and efficient in storing large amounts of energy. This is possible because of its components, namely, anode, cathode, separator, electrolyte, and two current collectors (positive and negative).
Unfortunately, because lithium-ion batteries are inherently energy dense and contain highly flammable material, they are also fire hazards, especially when damaged, misused, and with improper manufacturing processes.
“Lithium-ion batteries store a lot of energy in a small amount of space,” the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says. “When that energy is released in an uncontrolled manner, it generates heat, which can turn certain internal battery components into flammable and toxic gases.”
Moreover, if the separator in the battery is damaged due to overheating or manufacturing defects, it can cause a short circuit. This results in thermal runaway, which eventually produces flammable gases that may cause reactions such as battery swelling, fire, or explosion.
Other external factors, including extremely hot or cold weather conditions, overcharging, using the wrong charger, and physical damage like dropping or puncturing the battery, can also contribute to battery failure by adding excessive stress to the battery’s components.
With these factors mentioned, it is undeniable that lithium-ion batteries are indeed prone to fires.
Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Statistics
As more devices powered by lithium-ion batteries become part of everyday life, incidents involving these batteries have been rising worldwide. Statistics from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)6+ shows that lithium-ion battery fires or overheating incidents numbered at least 25,000 cases within five years.Newcastle University also found 40 known fires in large-scale lithium-ion battery energy storage.
One of the most notable incidents was the 2016 Samsung Galaxy Note7 recall, where around 1 million units in the country were pulled from the market after 92 reports of batteries overheating, causing burns and property damage.
In 2020, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned loose lithium-ion batteries from checked luggage and only allowed them in carry-on bags. More recently, the FAA has raised new concerns as lithium-ion battery fires on U.S. flights now happen nearly twice a week, according to data from December 2024. In line with this, lithium-ion battery fires on planes have surged by 388% since 2015. In one case, a laptop battery in a carry-on bag caught fire mid-flight on an American Airlines plane from San Francisco to Miami, causing panic among passengers.
Beyond airplanes, lithium-ion batteries have also been linked to fires in homes and buildings. In New York City, a five-alarm fire in the Bronx in 2023, believed to have been caused by an electric scooter battery, injured at least seven people and required 200 firefighters to control. In 2022, e-scooters and e-bikes caused 200 fires among response calls handled by the NYC Fire Department which led to six deaths during that specific year.
Preventing Lithium-Ion Fires
Now that we’ve established the risks attached to using lithium-ion battery-powered devices and tools, it is important to understand how to mitigate the growing risk of incidents of fire, explosions, or other hazardous incidents.
As recommended by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), you should immediately stop using lithium-ion battery-powered devices once you detect any odor, change in color, excessive heat, swelling, or popping noises. The organization also recommends buying devices that have been examined by qualified testing laboratories and following the guidelines of each product.
The general guidelines normally revolve around using only the battery designed for the device and the charging cord that came with the device. The NFPA also reminds users not to charge the device under the pillow, bed, or couch and avoid overcharging. For e-bikes, it is important to charge the battery in a flat, dry area away from children, direct sunlight, liquids, and tripping hazards, and in a location where it is not at risk of falling.
In terms of disposal, it is imperative to properly dispose of lithium-ion batteries because throwing them into the trash or recycling at home is illegal. This disposal can be done by taking the batteries to a battery recycling location.
Responsible Use of Lithium-Ion Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are a fundamental part of present-day technology. They are found in many devices today and are expected to be in continued use in the future. However, lithium-ion batteries are prone to combustion and that is a safety hazard that must be addressed moving forward.
Legislation is a major component of future progress toward this goal. Government regulation of these parts and the products they are a part of can ensure that lithium-ion batteries are used and disposed of properly.
In addition, as a user, you play a key role in minimizing its fire risk. Learn how to handle, store, and charge lithium-ion batteries appropriately and follow manufacturer guidelines. You should also know the early battery failure indicators or warning signs in order to prevent fires, explosions, and other accidents.