Fires in an Elche Home and a Torrevieja School Due to Exploding Scooters

Electric scooter batteries are a ticking time bomb. This is the conclusion drawn after two fires in the province that required intervention by the Alicante Provincial Fire Consortium. Elche and Torrevieja were the scenes of these fires, both caused by the same issue: the overheating of an electric scooter battery.

The incident in Elche occurred in a block of flats, many of which had to be evacuated due to the flames. Three fire crews were involved in the extinguishing operation, during which only material damage was reported.

The other fire occurred in the yard of a school in Torrevieja. According to the firefighters in a video of the intervention, recorded by themselves, the flames from the scooter reached 330 °C.

Electric scooter batteries, typically lithium-ion, can catch fire if not used properly. The main risks stem from overcharging, impacts, heat exposure, manufacturing defects, unauthorized modifications, or using poor-quality batteries.

To reduce risk, it is recommended to use original chargers, avoid charging the scooter unsupervised, and protect it from impacts or high temperatures. Warning signs include swelling, excessive heat, strange smells, smoke, or sparks. If any of these symptoms occur, stop using the scooter and consult a specialist to prevent accidents.