Yesterday in Bay Terraces, it turned chaotic when a garage fire ripped through a home, forcing ten people to flee and leaving the house uninhabitable. Neighbors said the blaze started in the attached garage, and thick smoke quickly filled the residence as crews fought the flames.
San Diego Fire-Rescue crews were called around 2:30 PM to the 700 block of Bullock Drive. Officials said the fire may have been sparked by a charging lithium-ion battery. Clarence Elder, who lives at the home, told NBC 7 San Diego he "heard a pop" and saw an e-bike battery smoking before it exploded. Elder said everyone managed to escape but lost most of their possessions, and San Diego Fire-Rescue deemed the house uninhabitable because of smoke damage.
Battery fires are a growing concern
Fire officials across the region have been sounding the alarm about lithium-ion batteries after a run of similar incidents. ABC 10News reported that San Diego Fire-Rescue recorded at least 104 battery-related fires in 2023. The Los Angeles Times also recently detailed a fatal apartment fire in San José linked to an e-bike battery, underscoring how dangerous these small power packs can be when things go wrong.
What fire officials advise
The City of San Diego and Fire-Rescue recommend using devices and chargers with marks from recognized testing labs, charging on hard, nonflammable surfaces, and keeping batteries away from exits and anything that can easily catch fire. Battalion Chief Robert Rezende has warned that "these fires are extremely challenging to put out" because damaged batteries can keep heating up and reignite, according to a City of San Diego Fire-Rescue release with safety tips.
Neighbors count losses
In the fire’s aftermath, Elder showed a neighbor a singed jewelry box and said, "Thank God we're alive though," as friends picked through debris to see what could be saved. NBC 7 San Diego reported that the displaced household is now working out where to go next while the property remains off-limits.
Residents using e-bikes or other lithium-ion devices are urged to follow department guidance and to dispose of old or damaged batteries properly, including at locations listed by Call2Recycle or on the city’s battery-safety pages. Officials say simple steps, such as using manufacturer chargers, avoiding overnight charging and keeping batteries away from furniture and exits, can reduce the risk of another household fire.
