Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Fort Thomas fire department warns residents after lithium-ion scooter battery house fire
Summary
Fire department reported a house fire believed caused by a lithium‑ion scooter battery — the third battery-related house fire this year in Fort Thomas — and urged residents to avoid damaged or aftermarket batteries and stop charging immediately when batteries show failure.
The Fort Thomas Fire Department reported a house fire on Saturday night that officials believe was caused by a lithium‑ion battery from a scooter, the department told the council at its August meeting. The department said this is the third battery-related house fire in the city this year.
The fire-department representative warned that thermal runaway can result from a damaged battery, the use of aftermarket batteries or overcharging. "It appears to be caused by lithium ion battery off the scooter," the department representative said, and urged residents to replace failing batteries with original manufacturer units and to be cautious when charging.
Officials said electric cars have proven safer in many cases but cautioned that batteries in all-electric vehicles and similar devices can also present hazards if they fail. The department recommended removing a battery that shows signs of failure, using original manufacturer batteries and following charging best practices.
What happens next: The council received the report and approved a motion to file it. The fire department and city staff intend to continue tracking battery-related incidents and to include safety guidance in public communications as appropriate.
