Los Angeles Apartment Fire Injured Two, Sparked by Electric Scooter Battery

A fire at a seven-story apartment building in Los Angeles yesterday injured two people and was determined to have been caused by a lithium-ion battery from an electric scooter.

Thirty-four firefighters responded to the blaze in the 8500 block of South Vermont Avenue around 5:10 p.m. on October 7, 2025, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart. The fire was successfully extinguished in 22 minutes. Paramedics transported a 10-year-old girl and a 70-year-old woman to a local hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening.

“Hazardous materials personnel were called to the scene, which is standard procedure in fires involving lithium-ion batteries,” Stewart said. The increasing prevalence of these batteries in everyday devices is raising concerns about fire safety, as they can be prone to thermal runaway. You can learn more about lithium-ion battery safety from the National Fire Protection Association.

This incident highlights the growing risks associated with the widespread use of electric scooters and other devices powered by lithium-ion batteries, prompting calls for stricter regulations and safety standards. Recent safety regulation updates are being reviewed by city officials.

Fire officials will continue to investigate the specific circumstances surrounding the battery failure.