Leonia considers lithium-ion-battery restrictions after e-scooter fire
The incident happened March 22 on Woodland Place, where officials say an e-scooter battery began smoking before quickly catching fire.
A fire caused by an e-scooter at a multifamily building is now prompting local officials to consider new safety rules.
The incident happened March 22 on Woodland Place, where officials say an e-scooter battery began smoking before quickly catching fire.
“Within seconds, there is thick, black acrid smoke, where you literally can’t see your hand in front of your face,” Mayor William Ziegler said.
Ziegler says the outcome could have been much worse. According to the mayor, the scooter typically stored under a bed had been left in a hallway that day.
Now, borough leaders are working on a proposal that would ban devices powered by lithium-ion batteries from being stored or charged inside multidwelling buildings.
“One person’s decision in an apartment building should not materially affect everybody else who lives in that building,” Ziegler said.
Officials say the proposal is still in development, but if approved, enforcement could include fire inspections.
The mayor says the goal is to reduce the risk of similar incidents and improve safety for residents.
