Danish crews responded to 127 fires involving small lithium battery products

Danish emergency services responded to 127 fires involving small products with lithium batteries last year, according to figures from the Danish Emergency Management Agency reported by DR.

The agency’s figures show the number of such fires rose from 30 in 2018 to 2024. E-bikes accounted for the largest share last year, with 27 fires.

Fires can start if a battery is damaged or overheats, or if it is charged with an unsuitable charger. Nearly one in four of the fires began while the product was charging, according to the agency.

Alm. Brand claims director Britta Bjerregaard urged people to use the charger supplied with a product and to take fire risks seriously, including those involving small everyday items.

The insurer also warned that discarded batteries can catch fire if crushed or damaged during waste handling. It advises people to follow their municipality’s instructions and never put batteries or products with built-in batteries in ordinary rubbish. The agency recorded 22 waste fires last year that were believed to have been caused by an item containing a small lithium battery, typically because it had been sorted incorrectly.