A fire on Friday morning in a 100-unit apartment building in South Portland is believed to have been caused by an electric bicycle with a modified battery.
Firefighters went to 425 Broadway at 7:37 a.m. after receiving an alert from the building’s automatic fire alarm and sprinkler system and several calls reporting smoke and a fire on the 7th floor, according to the city of South Portland.
They found significant smoke and an e-bike on fire in a 7th floor apartment.
The building was evacuated and firefighters extinguished the fire. One person was evaluated for smoke exposure but refused treatment, and there were no other injuries, the city said.
The South Portland Housing Authority determined that five of the apartments are unfit for occupancy as a result of the fire and related water damage. The housing authority will provide temporary accommodations for those who were displaced.
Investigators determined that a battery powered e-bike that had been modified with a homemade battery pack intended to replace the original battery pack was the likely cause of the fire.
The South Portland Fire Department cautioned that e-bikes should not be left to charge or generally stored inside a living space. The lithium-ion batteries they use store a large amount of energy in a small space and can overheat, catch fire and explode when damaged or used incorrectly, the department said.
If you notice that a battery is overheating, place it away from anything combustible if possible, and call 911.
