MILILANI, Hawaiʻi (KHON2) — An electric bike battery involved in an apartment fire prompted a hazmat response and displaced multiple residents and dogs in Mililani on Thursday night.
On May 28, at 10:57 p.m., the Honolulu Fire Department received a 911 call about an apartment fire on Waikalani Drive, in which the caller said a lithium-ion battery-powered electric bike was involved.
HFD responded to the second alarm blaze with 12 units staffed with 44 personnel, including a Hazmat Unit.
At 11:06 p.m., the first units arrived and reported smoke flowing from the upper floor of the three-story apartment building.
By 11:12 p.m., firefighters were able to get water on the fire once they secured a water supply and initiated a fire attack with handlines. By 11:31 p.m., the fire was under control and fully extinguished 10 minutes later, officials said.
HFD confirmed there were no people inside during the fire and checked the building to ensure the fire had not spread.
American Red Cross was on the scene to help two people and two dogs that were displaced as a result.
An investigation is underway by the HFD Fire Investigator to determine the origin, cause and assess damage.
If you have an electric bike or scooter at home, HFD advises you not to ignore these warning signs and to follow these safety tips.
Signs of a problem
Unusual odor
Color change
Excessive heat
Shape change
Leaking
Smoking
Failure to hold a charge
Safety tips
Only use the battery and charger that were designed for, and came with, the device.
Do not keep charging the device or the device’s battery after it is fully charged.
Store e-bikes and batteries away from exit doors and anything that can get hot or catch fire.