Electric bicycle battery explodes in Stockholm, injuring one

An explosion caused by an electric bicycle battery injured one person and shattered windows in a Stockholm apartment on Saturday morning. The incident highlights a rapid increase in battery-related accidents, a trend fire safety experts warn will likely continue.

Mats Björs, secretary-general of the Swedish Fire Protection Association, stated that accidents involving batteries for electric scooters and bikes have surged by several hundred percent over the past four to five years. "But we are using more and more of these batteries, so it will continue to increase," he said.

Despite the rising numbers, Björs noted that the risk is not exceptionally high relative to the vast number of batteries in use. He explained that accidents often occur due to mishandling or misfortune. To mitigate risks, Björs advises using only original chargers, supervising the charging process, and stopping when the battery is full.

Crucially, Björs recommends avoiding charging batteries in hallways. "The hallway can be the only way out of the apartment if something happens. Then you should not have the battery right there," he explained. He also cautioned that damaged batteries, perhaps from a fall, pose a greater risk. If a battery appears damaged or becomes unusually hot during charging, it requires close observation and removal.

Björs added that signs of trouble, such as smoking, often precede a more severe event. In such cases, the immediate priority is to disconnect the power. If possible and safe, removing the battery and cooling it outdoors in water is advised. If the situation is too advanced or uncertain, Björs stressed that no intervention should be attempted. Using a fire blanket and evacuating the premises are the recommended actions, given the significant force of such explosions.