Overview

• Investigators traced the June 6 blaze in a Reims apartment block to thermal runaway in an electric scooter’s lithium-ion battery, resulting in four deaths.
• Prosecutor François Schneider described the aftermath as resembling a war scene and confirmed rapid battery overheating as the initial ignition source.
• Experts at the Centre national de prévention et de protection explain that thermal runaway can stem from excessive heat, internal short-circuits, physical damage or substandard components.
• Regulators including the DGCCRF recommend using EU-certified batteries and original chargers, charging away from flammable materials and avoiding overnight charging to reduce fire risks.
• Firefighters caution that lithium-ion battery fires require specialized powder or CO₂ extinguishers or high-volume water cooling to fully quench cells and prevent re-ignitions.