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Deadly Reims Scooter Battery Blaze Highlights Need for Improved Safety

A prosecutor with safety experts warns overheating, charging errors, low-quality components trigger explosive lithium-ion battery failures

Les incendies imputables aux trottinettes électriques se sont multipliés ces dernières années, en France comme à l’étranger.
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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.