A pre-dawn fire tore through a Miami Gardens home early Friday, spread to the house next door and sent more than a dozen fire-rescue units racing to the block, as one resident blamed an exploding e-bike battery for the chaos.
Flames broke out at a single-family home in the 20400 block of Northwest 29th Place, with dispatchers sending more than 18 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units at 6:39 a.m., according to NBC6. Firefighters arrived to heavy smoke and visible flames, and the blaze had already extended to the neighboring house, prompting officials to bump the incident up to a second alarm.
Three people were evaluated at the scene for injuries and all declined to be taken to the hospital, authorities said.
A man at the scene told NBC6 that a battery from his son’s electric motorbike exploded while it was charging, and that he was hurt while trying to pull the child to safety. Officials have not confirmed that account, and investigators have not yet released an official cause of the fire.
Investigation Focuses On Possible Battery, Electrical Issues
Fire investigators are expected to comb through the charred debris to pinpoint how the blaze started, including whether it began with a product failure, an electrical issue or something else entirely.
Lithium-ion batteries that power e-bikes and other micromobility devices have been linked to multiple fires and recalls in recent years, and regulators have repeatedly warned about the risk of overheating battery packs. The CPSC and Consumer Reports have both urged owners to follow charging and storage guidelines and to pay close attention to recall notices.
How To Charge E-Bikes And Batteries More Safely
Fire-safety experts say how and where you charge these batteries matters. Recommendations include:
• Charge batteries on a non-flammable surface, not on beds, couches or carpets.
• Use only the charger that comes from the manufacturer and avoid cheap knockoffs.
• Keep bikes, scooters and batteries in a well-ventilated area while charging.
• Never leave batteries charging unattended, especially overnight.
Underwriters Laboratories advises regularly checking battery packs for warning signs like swelling, hissing, a burning smell or other unusual behavior, and following disposal instructions for any damaged or recalled batteries instead of tossing them in the trash.
If you see smoke, notice intense heat or hear popping sounds from a charging battery, officials say you should get everyone out of the home immediately and call 911.
