Electric Scooter 'Pung' Indoors... UK Fire Service Warns "Do Not Charge Indoors"

Electric Scooter Explosion Accident Also Occurs Domestically

A video has been released showing an electric scooter charging inside a home in London, England, exploding and quickly engulfing the house in flames.

On the 22nd (local time), according to British media Daily Mail and others, the London Fire Brigade released the video on the 18th to raise awareness about the fire risks of electric scooters.

The fire incident occurred on the 13th in a communal kitchen of a two-story house in Halesden, Brent, northwest London. One of the residents, Del Williams (37), was charging an electric scooter there at the time of the fire.

A video has been released showing a house in London, England engulfed in flames after the lithium battery of an electric scooter being charged exploded.
[Image source=London Fire Brigade]

The closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage released by the fire brigade shows the lithium battery of the electric scooter exploding while charging inside the house, causing flames to spread rapidly.

Del then tried to extinguish the fire with a blanket but eventually gave up and escaped from the house. Del was later treated at a hospital for smoke inhalation caused by the fire and has since been discharged.

Del said, "I am glad I was able to escape safely. I spent 8 hours in the hospital due to smoke inhalation but have returned home," adding, "Fortunately, no one was injured."

It was reported that Del had purchased the electric scooter from an online store two weeks ago to use while traveling in London. He charged it in the communal kitchen instead of his own room to prevent his pet dog from touching the scooter during charging.

[Image source=London Fire Brigade]

Dom Ellis, Deputy Chief of the London Fire Brigade, said, "If the (electric scooter) battery catches fire, it spreads instantly, making escape difficult," adding, "Thermal runaway causes the battery to explode, spreading fierce flames."

Del advised electric scooter users, "Do not store electric scooters inside the house; charge them outside," and "Always keep an eye on them while charging."

This incident occurred during the London Fire Brigade's '#ChargeSafe' campaign aimed at reducing fire risks associated with charging lithium batteries. According to London Fire Brigade data, there have been 48 electric bicycle fires and 12 electric scooter fires in London this year alone.

Fire incidents caused by electric kickboards rapidly increasing domestically... 23-fold increase in 5 years

Electric scooter on the online community 'BobaeDream'. [Image source=BobaeDream]

In South Korea, there have also been controversies over incidents where electric kickboards left at home suddenly exploded. According to a victim's post on the online community 'Bobaedream,' around 2 a.m. on the 12th, a beeping sound started from the kickboard at the entrance, followed by an explosion with a sound like a pressure cooker.

Smoke quickly filled the entire house, and flames spread rapidly. Neighbors began extinguishing the fire with fire extinguishers. Another neighbor called 119, and the victim and their family barely escaped the scene. While excessive charging is often the cause of electric kickboard battery explosions, this incident reportedly occurred when the battery was not being charged.

The victim said, "If the charger had been plugged in, we would have admitted fault, but that was not the case, and I almost died while lying down to sleep," adding, "During the fire, my fianc? developed hives all over his face and body due to smoke and fumes. At the hospital, we were told it was a burn symptom caused by toxic chemicals and that lifelong care would be necessary."

Meanwhile, fire incidents caused by electric kickboards are increasing every year. According to statistics from the National Fire Agency, the number of fires caused by electric kickboards nationwide was ▲5 cases in 2018 ▲10 cases in 2019 ▲39 cases in 2020 ▲39 cases in 2021 ▲115 cases in 2022, showing a sharp increase every year. Fires related to electric kickboards have increased 23-fold in five years. Fire authorities believe that most electric kickboard fires are caused by battery explosions.