Lithium battery fires at home: e-bikes, power banks and what actually works

Lithium-ion cells fail through thermal runaway: one cell overheats, ignites its neighbours, and the pack keeps producing its own heat and oxygen. That is why these fires reignite after they look extinguished.

Charge e-bikes and scooters away from doors and exits, never overnight while everyone sleeps, and never on soft furniture. Use the manufacturer's charger.

If a pack starts hissing, swelling or smoking, get everyone out and call emergency services. If the fire is still small and you can act safely, smother it with a fire blanket to contain the flames and stop them spreading to the room while the pack burns itself out.

Treat containment, not extinguishing, as the goal. Buying minutes for people to leave the building is the win.