Fire in Espoo apartment block started from e-scooter battery, seven exposed to smoke

A fire that completely destroyed an apartment in Espoo on Thursday evening was caused by an electric scooter battery, Finnish public broadcaster Yle reports. Seven people were exposed to smoke, with four taken to hospital for treatment.

The blaze began on the balcony of a third-floor apartment on Vieraskuja street. According to rescue services, the initial battery that caught fire was joined by a second battery on the balcony, which exploded due to the fire. The resident escaped the apartment unassisted.

The cause of the battery ignition remains unknown.

Balconies “not suitable” for battery storage

Taneli Enqvist, fire inspector for Western Uusimaa, declined to comment on the specific incident but stressed general safety guidelines for battery storage and charging. He warned that balconies are not appropriate places to keep or charge batteries, despite common assumptions.

“Devices and batteries should primarily be charged and stored at room temperature,” Enqvist said. “On a balcony, they are exposed to varying weather conditions—such as excessive heat from sunlight—which can unnecessarily increase risks.”

He added that balconies should function as emergency escape routes in fires and should not be used for storage.

Safety recommendations for battery use

Enqvist advised always supervising charging indoors, using products from reputable manufacturers, and regularly inspecting devices for damage. Damaged or dropped devices should never be charged and must be recycled instead, as internal faults can significantly heighten fire risks.

Charging should take place in areas with minimal flammable materials nearby, and manufacturer instructions should be followed closely. Lithium-ion battery fires are particularly hazardous, as they involve multiple cells that can ignite sequentially, producing oxygen that sustains combustion and makes extinguishing difficult.

“Small explosions and projectiles can easily occur,” Enqvist noted, emphasising that such fires spread rapidly and release large volumes of toxic gases.

Key safety tips include:

• Always charge under supervision in indoor spaces
• Use products from known manufacturers
• Regularly check device condition
• Never charge damaged or dropped devices
• Follow manufacturer guidelines
• Avoid flammable materials near charging areas