Lithium battery fires can escalate quickly, produce toxic smoke, and re-ignite even after flames appear to be out. The safest goal is usually life safety first, then cooling and containment if it’s safe to do so.
What To Do Immediately
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Get people out and create distance
Smoke from lithium battery failures can be irritating and hazardous. Move everyone away and ventilate if you can do it safely. -
Call emergency services if there’s flame, heavy smoke, or spreading heat
If you see sustained flames, thick smoke, popping sounds, or the fire is growing, treat it as an emergency and call for professional help. -
If it’s a small device fire and you can act safely, knock down visible flames
Aviation safety guidance notes that a Halon (or replacement) extinguisher or water extinguisher can be used to stop flame spread.
The Key Step Most People Miss: Cool It Aggressively
Even after flames are knocked down, the battery can keep heating internally (thermal runaway) and re-ignite. Multiple safety references emphasize cooling with water or another non-alcoholic liquid as a critical follow-up step.
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Use copious amounts of water to cool the battery/device area if you can do so without putting yourself at risk. Cooling helps stop propagation to adjacent cells and materials.
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Expect re-ignition risk. Continue cooling and keep monitoring from a safe distance.
If You Don’t Have An Extinguisher
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Water can still help with cooling and suppressing spread for many common lithium-ion device fires, and is widely recommended for firefighting and cooling in this context.
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If the device is plugged in and you can unplug it without danger, do so. Don’t waste time if flames are present—prioritise evacuation.
What Not To Do
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Do not breathe the smoke and do not handle the device with bare hands.
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Do not move a burning or violently venting battery unless you can do it safely—sudden flare-ups are common.
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Do not assume it’s “out” just because flames stop; cooling and monitoring matter because re-ignition can occur.
If This Is A Larger Battery Pack Or Industrial Battery
For e-bikes, scooters, large battery packs, or battery rooms, the safest action is usually:
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Evacuate
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Call responders
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Isolate combustibles
Because these events can intensify and require specialised tactics and large cooling volumes. Guidance for responders commonly points to water for cooling and control of spread.
Prevention Checklist That Reduces Fire Risk
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Stop using batteries that show odor, swelling, leakage, unusual heat, or shape change.
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Keep charging away from flammables and avoid unattended charging in risky locations.
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Store spares to prevent short circuits.