An electric scooter fire engulfed a garage in flames within seconds, leaving a Lada car charred this Monday in Santa Clara, located in the Las Villas province. Reports on social media indicated that the owner of the scooter had plugged it in to charge upon arriving at the garage, which also contained three gas canisters. The combination of so many flammable elements quickly ignited a massive fire.
"Look at this, a scooter caught fire today in Santa Clara next to a garage with a Lada and three gas canisters. It took less than five minutes for the flames to consume everything. Incredibly, the firefighters arrived almost immediately. The owner said he had just come back from the street and plugged it in," reported a user in the Facebook group 'Accidents Buses & Trucks'.
Identified on social media as Gsm Cuba, the user shared photographs of the vehicles' condition after the flames were extinguished. Both the scooter and the Lada were completely charred. "It's incredible how lithium batteries burn. I experienced something similar myself. I dragged the burning electric bike with my hands to get it out of the house. When the batteries start to explode, they do so consecutively, and nothing can extinguish that fire. Lithium batteries have caused a lot of damage. You never know when they will explode," commented another user on the post.
Gsm Cuba concurred and claimed to have witnessed the incident "from the beginning. I uploaded the videos, but the administration hasn't approved them. From the moment the smoke started until it consumed everything, it took 34 seconds. After that, it just kept burning, but the intensity decreased."
Despite the quick response from firefighters, the fire could not be immediately extinguished and ended up incinerating everything inside the garage. According to the testimony of many affected individuals, fires caused by lithium battery explosions are difficult to put out and usually extinguish themselves once they have consumed all the flammable material around them.
Recently, a couple lost their lives after their house caught fire due to a scooter explosion in La Lisa, Havana. Their three children—a nine-year-old boy and 21-year-old twin girls—are in critical condition. "I am a relative of the girl from the scooter explosion. Yes, unfortunately, she passed away, and her husband did too. My cousin is in critical condition with third-degree burns all over his body, and the twins are also critical. The boy is more critical today; he is nine years old, and the two girls are also in critical condition. They are 21-year-old twins," the source explained to a social media user who posted the tragic news.
The victims of this incident were identified as Kirenia Cancio Domínguez, 43, and her husband, Alejandro Fernández de las Cagigas. Both worked at the Comodoro Hotel, according to people close to the couple. The boy, Eleonay Rankin Cancio, remains in critical condition in a hospital, while the twins, Alejandra and Laura Fernández Pérez, are admitted to the burn unit at Calixto García Hospital, also in life-threatening condition.
Earlier in June, a couple and their 21-year-old son died during the early morning in Havana after a fire broke out in their home, caused by an electric scooter explosion. The tragic event occurred on 62A Street between 23 and 25, in the Buenavista neighborhood of the Playa municipality, according to social media reports. The victims were identified as Ghislen, her husband Víctor, and their son José, 21, who was studying at the José Antonio Echeverría Technological University of Havana (CUJAE).
The publication denounced that firefighters took 45 minutes to arrive and extinguish the fire, despite the Command No. 8 station being less than a kilometer away from the scene of the incident. "The neighbors did everything possible to rescue them but couldn't break the bars on the door and windows. They ran to the firefighters, who said they couldn't go to the scene without being notified by the command post. What a tragedy!" the publication concluded.
Understanding the Dangers of Lithium Battery Fires
The article highlights the severe danger posed by lithium battery fires, particularly those involving electric scooters. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers to provide more information on this topic.
Why are lithium batteries so dangerous?
Lithium batteries are highly flammable and can explode when they overheat or are damaged. The chemical reactions inside these batteries can lead to rapid and intense fires that are difficult to extinguish.
How can I prevent a lithium battery from catching fire?
To prevent lithium battery fires, avoid overcharging, use proper chargers, and do not expose batteries to extreme temperatures. Regularly inspect batteries for any signs of damage or swelling.
What should I do if a lithium battery catches fire?
If a lithium battery catches fire, use a fire extinguisher rated for electrical fires, or if unavailable, use sand or dirt to smother the flames. Evacuate the area and call emergency services immediately.