Second Lithium-Ion Fire In Weeks Prompts Warning From Medford Fire Chief

MEDFORD, MA – Medford Fire Chief John Freedman and State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey have urged residents to use, charge, and store lithium-ion batteries safely, especially larger batteries such as those used by scooters, e-bikes, and other micro mobility devices.

The warning comes after two lithium-ion fires occurred in just over a month, with fire officials saying more fires could occur if proper safety precautions are not followed.

“These two fires alone have displaced almost a dozen people and sent three of them to the hospital,” Freedman said in a news release. “If you, a family member, or roommate have a scooter, e-bike, or other device powered by lithium-ion batteries, it’s extremely important to understand the hazards involved and take the right steps to avoid them.”

The most recent lithium-ion battery fire occurred on the morning of June 3 at a home located at 54 Dartmouth St. in Medford.

Crews arrived to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the top floor of the two-and-a-half story two-family home. The fire grew to a third alarm fire, and required assistance from Arlington, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Melrose, Rever, Somerville, Stoneham, and Winchester fire crews. After an hour and a half, the fire was brought under control.

An investigation by the Medford Fire Department, Medford Police, and the State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit found that the fire began in a bedroom on the top floor, where a lithium-ion battery was being charged. The batter was used for an e-bike that was being stored outdoors, officials said.

“Lithium-ion batteries store a tremendous amount of power,” Ostroskey said. “When they burn, they burn extremely hot and extremely fast. A fire like this can ignite nearby combustibles, furniture, and the structure itself, just as we’ve seen in these two recent fires. It’s vitally important to use, store, and charge them according to the manufacturer’s instructions, to remain nearby when they’re charging, and to disconnect them from the power source once they’re charged.”

Freedman and Ostroskey have listed these additional safety tips for lithium-ion batteries and the many devices they power:

• Be sure you have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home.
• Use only the original equipment manufacturer’s batteries and charging equipment. Aftermarket or generic batteries and chargers may be cheaper but are more likely to pose a burn, fire, or explosion hazard.
• Store scooters and e-bikes outdoors if possible. If you must store them indoors, keep them and their batteries clear of doors, windows, and stairways.
• Charge the battery directly from a wall outlet, not an extension cord or power strip. Place it on a hard and stable surface, not a bed, couch, or pillow.
• Charge only one battery or device at a time and unplug it when it’s fully charged. Don’t allow a charged battery to continue charging.
• If you notice changes to the battery or the device, including damage, an unusual odor, a change in color, too much heat, change in shape, leaking, smoking, or not keeping a charge, stop using it right away.