June 24,2025
RED FM News Desk
Many people own devices or equipment powered by rechargeable batteries, as these are commonly used in smartphones, laptops, electric vehicles, e-bikes, e-scooters, power tools, and household gardening equipment. As demand for these battery-powered products continues to grow, so does the number of fires linked to them. According to the B.C. Office of the Fire Commissioner’s 2023 annual report, rechargeable batteries were the cause of 70 fires across the province, resulting in $3.4 million in property damage and four injuries—though no fatalities were reported.
In Vancouver, data from the city’s website shows that battery-related fires have been steadily rising over the past three years, with an average annual increase of 20 percent. This includes incidents involving various types of batteries, such as nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride. In one notable incident in December, a rechargeable battery exploded in the home of a Vancouver Island fire chief after being used in an airsoft gun.
In Surrey, there have already been eight battery-related fires in 2025, surpassing the seven reported in all of 2024, and nearing the 10 incidents recorded in 2023. That year marked the first time the B.C. Ministry of Public Safety introduced a specific reporting code for fires involving rechargeable batteries. Of the eight incidents in Surrey this year, five involved e-scooters or e-bikes—also referred to as micro-mobility devices.
These types of fires often occur when chargers have been modified, or when users opt for third-party, aftermarket chargers. In some cases, individuals alter the battery’s power configuration—connecting cells in series instead of parallel to increase output. This can make the devices noticeably faster, but it also causes the batteries to discharge more quickly than they’re designed for, preventing them from dissipating heat properly. The danger typically arises after use, when a device is set aside and plugged in while still overheated, leading to thermal runaway and potential fire.
Damage to the battery or its compartment may not be visible or known to the user. E-scooters and e-bikes, which are often stolen and resold online, pose a serious fire risk—not only to individual homes, but to entire buildings, potentially endangering many lives.
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