SPOKANE, Wash. — A lithium-ion battery fire forced 50 people from their apartments in downtown Spokane over the weekend, the latest in a trend of lithium-ion battery fires in the area.
Saturday morning, a fire was started in one of Catholic Charities’ downtown buildings — sparked by the battery of an e-bike. Once the fire was put out, Spokane fire crews had to decontaminate themselves after the exposure.
When a lithium-ion battery malfunctions or overheats, it can quickly turn dangerous.
“They can go just really, really quickly,” said SFD’s public information officer Justin de Ruyter. “The most common causes they found is they are charging, but it’s usually aftermarket batteries or aftermarket chargers.”
SFD says people will often see and smell smoke when the battery malfunctions. You can try to take it out with a fire extinguisher, but should leave quickly so you aren’t exposed to the toxic metals in the air.
“Shutting the doors behind you, isolating it and getting out of there, getting the distance and alerting us to get us there as soon as you can,” de Ruyter said.
SFD suggests noting the battery’s lifespan. Most lithium-ion batteries should be replaced after 7-10 years.
Don’t leave a battery charging unattended and always charge them outside to avoid a fire inside a building or home. SFD also advises you to stay away from buying aftermarket batteries or chargers.
Catholic Charities says after the fire was put out on Saturday, the Department of Health went inside the building to inspect for any toxic odors before any people were allowed back in.
COPYRIGHT 2026 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
