Scooter battery sparks apartment fire in DC, firefighters say

Crews were called to the apartments located in the 3700 block of 16th Street Northwest around 4 p.m. When crews got to the scene, they found flames shooting from a third-floor apartment window in the five-story building. Responding firefighters worked quickly to bring the blaze under control, and no injuries were reported. 

Editor's note: The above video is from March 4, 2024.

Investigators believe the fire started because of a lithium-ion battery in an electric scooter. A hazardous materials team was called to process and secure the batteries. 

"Lithium ion batteries can ignite spontaneously, even if not being charged. Never leave mobility devices where they can block your escape if they ignite. Never overcharge and always use chargers that came with the device," a DC Fire and EMS spokesperson said.

Firefighters have not yet said how many people have been displaced by the Sunday fire.

This is not the first time WUSA9 has reported on these types of fires. Back in February, 23 people were displaced by a fire caused by a lithium-ion battery.

"Everything you pretty much touch that has any kind of energy or light probably has a lithium-ion battery," said Brett Brenner, President of the Electrical Safety Foundation.

Brenner and the nonprofit he heads are working to prevent injuries related to electrical devices. He told WUSA9 that the occurrences are climbing across the country throughout the year, not just during Christmas when people get new toys or gadgets.

"So, in general, lithium batteries are not dangerous; the problem is having substandard products get into our supply chain, and that's creating problems."

The problem has become so serious, the Consumer Safety Product Commission conducted a study that found between 2012-2017 there were more than 25,000 incidents of overheating or fire hazards involving lithium batteries.