- Department of Fire Services
Media Contact
Jake Wark, Public Information Officer
HOLYOKE — An electric bicycle’s battery pack exploded in a Holyoke apartment this weekend, injuring one person and displacing several residents, said Holyoke Fire Chief John Kadlewicz and State Fire Marshal Jon Davine.
“The lithium-ion batteries that power e-bikes and many other devices have caused serious fires when abused, overcharged, overheated, or defective,” said Chief Kadlewicz. “Please store, charge, and dispose of them safely. And if you’ve got a larger device like a bike or scooter, it’s especially important to store it outside if possible. If you must store it indoors, keep it away from doors, windows and stairways. These are your way out in an emergency and the way in for firefighters coming to help.”
Chief Kadlewicz and State Fire Marshal Davine offered these safety tips:
Before you buy:
• Choose devices that are listed by an independent testing laboratory like UL or Intertek/ETL. Look for the lab’s mark on the packaging and device.
• Be sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home.
Storage:
• Read and follow the manufacturer’s storage instructions.
• Store lithium-ion batteries and the devices they power at room temperature whenever possible. Don’t leave them in a hot car, in direct sunlight, or in freezing temperatures.
Charging:
• Read and follow the manufacturer’s charging instructions.
• Always use the battery, cord, and power adapter made specifically for the device. Aftermarket and generic accessories have been linked to serious fires.
• Plug the charger directly into a wall outlet, not an extension cord or power strip.
• Don’t leave a charging device unattended. Disconnect the charger from the outlet when the device is fully charged.
• Charge devices on a hard stable surface such as a table, not a couch, bed, or pillow.
Use:
• Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.
• Discontinue use if the battery is damaged, if you notice an unusual odor, a change in color or shape, leaking, or odd noises. If you can do so safely, move the device away from anything that can burn and call 9-1-1.
Disposal:
• Don’t discard lithium-ion batteries in the trash. Recycling is the best option.
• You can find a recycling location at www.call2recycle.org/locator.
The Holyoke Fire Department was notified of a fire at 16 West Court Street at about 4:30 am on March 9. On arrival, firefighters observed heavy smoke coming from the middle of the two-story townhouse-style apartment building. All occupants were able to escape, but one was seriously injured and transported first to Baystate Medical Center and then Massachusetts General Hospital. Holyoke Fire Department fire investigators determined that the fire began with the lithium-ion battery pack in an electric bicycle, and that the owner was attempting to carry it outside when it exploded.
State Fire Marshal Davine said that the incident was one of more than 170 fires linked to lithium-ion batteries since late 2023, when the Department of Fire Services launched a new tool for reporting these events.
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