Man rescued after e-bike catches fire in St. Paul home

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A man was hospitalized after an electric bicycle caught fire at a residence in east St. Paul Monday morning.

According to the St. Paul Fire Department, crews were called to the building at East Fourth and Hancock streets in the Dayton's Bluff neighborhood around 8 a.m. after the bicycle caught fire and “filled the third floor with smoke.”

Firefighters used a ladder to rescue a man inside. According to officials, three residents were examined at the scene and one man was taken to the hospital. His condition was not disclosed.

What's behind the increase in lithium-ion battery fires?

Lithium-ion batteries – used in most electric bikes, scooters, vehicles, lawn mowers, power tools, laptops and other rechargeable devices – are included liquid electrolytes which burn at higher temperatures and for longer than electrolytes used in alkaline batteries.

CBS News reports that “unregulated aftermarket chargers” are helping to fuel the tide of battery-related fires across the country.

According to the Woodbury Fire Department, battery failures occurred over a five-month period between late 2023 and early 2024 the cause of at least five house fires.

The FAA The number of battery-related fires onboard flights has also increased by more than 42% in recent years, according to data.

The National Fire Protection Association says charging errors can lead to “thermal runaway,” in which an overheated cell in a battery triggers a dangerous chain reaction. Another potential hazard, known as “outgassing,” is that a faulty battery can leak flammable gases into the environment, which can lead to sudden ignition.

The Woodbury Fire Department gave WCCO these battery-related safety tips earlier this year:

• Read the label and know the voltage and power rating.
• Stop charging the batteries once they are full.
• Charge devices on hard surfaces such as desks, tables, or counters.
• Only use the batteries intended for your device and the charger provided.