Charged for Disaster

by Breaking NewsSafety

As e-mobility devices become more common, lithium-ion battery fires are creating a rapidly evolving global challenge that’s testing the limits of fire prevention and response, writes Duncan J. White

Is the Fire Service losing the battle against e-mobility charging fires? Electric scooters and bikes have revolutionised urban transportation — they are clean, compact, and affordable.

But as their lithium-ion batteries enter homes and high-rises, the global fire sector faces a rising and unpredictable threat: charging-related fires that develop with unprecedented speed and ferocity.

A rapidly escalating threat

Fire services worldwide report a steep rise in incidents linked to e-mobility charging.

When a lithium-ion cell fails, temperatures can exceed 1,000°C in seconds, releasing toxic gases and triggering violent explosions.

In testing, complete flashover has occurred in under a minute, leaving virtually no time for occupants to escape or responders to act.

These fires behave unlike conventional domestic blazes – they are chemical, fast, and extraordinarily difficult to control once started.

Why firefighters are struggling

Four factors explain the mounting challenge:

  • Speed and volatility: Thermal runaway can occur before alarms activate, making early intervention nearly impossible.
  • Hidden ignition: Batteries often smoulder internally without warning until they rupture.
  • Unsafe charging: Many fires involve cheap or incompatible chargers purchased online.
  • Domestic exposure: Charging in bedrooms or hallways places ignition sources directly in escape routes.

A global systemic gap

The e-mobility boom has outpaced regulations.

Building codes and product standards were never designed for high-energy batteries in domestic settings.

Few jurisdictions enforce consistent safety certification for chargers or storage.

In dense urban housing, users often charge indoors overnight – a practice now known to carry catastrophic risk.

Public awareness campaigns have begun, but understanding remains limited, and misinformation about “safe charging” persists online.

What the fire sector must do next

Regaining control will require global collaboration.

Fire agencies, regulators, and manufacturers must align around:

  • Harmonised safety standards for batteries and chargers.
  • Shared data to identify high-risk models early.
  • Public education promoting safe charging habits – certified equipment, daylight charging, and separation from living spaces.
  • Specialised training and suppression research for lithium-ion incidents.

The fire service is not losing the battle – but it is fighting on a new front.

As e-mobility reshapes cities, lithium-ion batteries will remain integral to modern life.

The challenge is not elimination, but adaptation.

Only by uniting standards, science, and public awareness can the fire community prevent today’s convenience from becoming tomorrow’s catastrophe.

Stay safe!

This was originally published in the November 2025 Edition of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE copy, click here.

Editor’s Comment: Chances and opportunities

by AmericasBreaking NewsIFSJ Exclusives

I recently returned from the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Conference and Expo in Kansas City, Missouri where I was afforded many opportunities to enhance my knowledge and understanding of new technology and innovation on display, writes IFSJ Managing Editor Duncan J. White.

Having joined the UK fire service at the age of eighteen, with the sole intention of driving big red lorries and wearing breathing apparatus to fight fires, I very quickly realised that there was much more to being ‘just a firefighter’ if you are prepared to take your chances and explore the opportunities offered.

Within a couple of years, I became frustrated with the management style of my immediate superiors and decided that if I wanted to influence change, I would need to pass my promotion examinations and apply for promotion.

With each promotion came additional responsibilities as well as more frequent and varied opportunities to move into new roles, which provided a more rounded understanding of the running of a modern fire and rescue service / fire department (FRS).

Despite undertaking several roles during my career which included incident commander, specialist trainer, project manager and supervisory officer I never felt my true potential was being nurtured or even understood by the organisation.

I became bored and to make best use of my time undertook voluntary roles, one of which afforded me the opportunity to attend fire trade shows.

This opportunity presented me with the opportunity to learn about another side of the industry and I soon received a commercial opportunity, which resulted in me setting up my own company and becoming a freelance consultant, alongside my fire service career.

I once heard a client comment: “Anyone working with a fire service should secure the services of an insider who knows the industry as it ensures that no questions are left unanswered, and all requirements can be understood and taken into consideration.”

There have been times when I was not always sure if I had the necessary skills or experience to fulfil opportunities but have always remembered a quote made by Sir Richard Branson, “If someone offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later.”

This has proven to be extremely valuable!

I retired after almost thirty years’ service; however, throughout my time I was never afforded an appraisal which specifically looked at my transferrable skills which could have been of benefit to the FRS.

This was disappointing, although more concerning is that it seems like this is still the norm today and skilled people are being pigeonholed by rank / role rather than utilising their skills to best effect for the organisation.

For the fire service to remain an attractive career option it must look at new ways to get the best out of employees by implementing remuneration structures which allows them to reward staff who choose to specialise in one area or use their skills for the good of the FRS rather than continually changing roles because they are chasing the next promotion.

Never underestimate the demoralising and disruptive effect that boredom can have on the most aspirational members of your team.

This exclusive article was originally published in the September 2023 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.