Moncton fire department raises alarm about increase in fires from e-bike chargers
CBC
Electric bikes and scooters are increasing in Moncton and so are the number of fires caused by improper charging of the lithium batteries that power them.
Deputy Fire Chief Keith Guptill said there have been 13 fires so far this year involving either an e-bike or an e-scooter.
He said in every case the bike or scooter was inside a closed space, where the fire could grow by feeding on nearby combustible material.
These fires have resulted in property damage and even injuries, Guptill said.
"That's actually quite significant for us, because in each case it wasn't one that was out on the side of the road somewhere," he said. "It was in ... either a garage, a hallway, on someone's deck or porch, or in someone's home.
"We've lost a couple of apartments that have had to have huge renovations because of an e-bike that caught fire."
According to Guptill, poor charging habits and low-quality chargers are to blame.
He said owners should read the instruction manual carefully to make sure they aren’t overcharging the batteries.
Guptill also advises e-bike and e-scooter owners not to leave them unattended while they are charging.
"Folks are plugging them in and then going to get groceries, or going out with friends, or whatever, and leaving it unattended," he said.
"We would never recommend somebody to leave something in the oven and leave it unattended while it's trying to cook, right?"
People should also avoid low-quality chargers, Guptill said. "I understand everybody trying to save a buck, but this is a pretty big deal."
Similarly, if people need to replace any of the charging components, "don't cut corners," Guptill warned. "Make sure you get exactly what the manufacturer recommends."
The fire marshal’s office will be issuing some safety guidelines regarding the use of e-bikes and e-scooters, he said.
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