Fire Electric Bicycle Charging Sparks Condo Blaze in Pattaya – Fire Alarm Does Not Sound

[Georgealbert]

 

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Panic gripped residents of a Pattaya condominium early morning on 7 June, after a fire broke out due to an exploding electric bicycle battery, forcing occupants to flee. The building’s fire alarm failed to activate during the initial outbreak.

 

The incident occurred at a condominium located in Soi Thappraya 15, Pattaya, Chonburi province. Emergency services, including Pattaya City Fire Department, Sawang Boriboon Rescue Unit and Pattaya Police, rushed to the scene following a distress call from the city’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Radio Centre.

 

On arrival, firefighters found flames in a section of Building B, with thick smoke billowing from the structure. Dozens of frightened residents were seen fleeing the building as authorities worked quickly to evacuate them to safety.

 

The blaze was traced to Room 210 on the second floor, where fire crews battled the flames for approximately 30 minutes before bringing the situation under control. Although the fire was eventually extinguished, smoke continued to hang heavily in the air.

Initial investigations revealed the fire had been triggered by an electric bicycle battery charging at the rear balcony of the room. The building’s fire alarm system did not activate until after the fire service had entered the building.

 

The unit’s occupant, Mr. Dandrieu Thierry 57, a French national, and his Thai wife, reported being jolted awake by an explosion. Thierry explained that he had been charging the electric bike battery on the balcony when the first explosion occurred. He attempted to smother the small fire with a damp cloth, but the battery exploded again moments later, igniting a rapidly spreading blaze. Despite his efforts, he was unable to contain the flames and immediately contacted condo security and emergency services.

Police Lieutenant Sakayapat Chaidet of Pattaya Police Station confirmed that the incident is being treated as a likely case of electrical problem from the battery unit. The room suffered extensive smoke damage and from effects of heat. Forensic officers from Chonburi’s Region 2 division have been called in to conduct a full investigation.

 

No injuries have been reported at this time, but the incident has raised serious concerns about fire safety standards and the growing risks associated with lithium battery use in residential buildings.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-06-07

 

 

 

[petermik]

Fire alarm not working....did the building actually have one?

[scubascuba3]

Is that Diamond Suites? Or maybe Nirvana Place? 

 

I don't know why they don't report the condo name

[ozz1]

Chinese fire  alarm when you smell smoke you get  out

[impulse]

On a somewhat related note, I wonder who is financially liable for the damage (and legally if there are injuries). 

 

And I wonder whether there are insurance policies in LOS that would cover that kind of liability?  (Policies that don't have small print on page 48 that would deny coverage...)

 

[SLOWHAND225]

Thats why they make charging boxes for those batteries.

As for fault, it would have been the occupant had the fire alarm worked like it should.  Now its the condo's problem.

[impulse]

1 minute ago, SLOWHAND225 said:

Thats why they make charging boxes for those batteries.

As for fault, it would have been the occupant had the fire alarm worked like it should.  Now its the condo's problem.

 

 I can't disagree, because I don't know the answer.   But I suspect it's more nuanced.

I'm a big fan of e-bikes and e-scooters and I hope this doesn't lead to mass changes in condo and apartment regulations to ban them.  But there has to be some financial accountability.  "Back home" the e-bike manufacturer would probably be on the hook simply because they have the deep pockets and product liability insurance.  In LOS, I just don't know.

 

[simon43]

"He attempted to smother the small fire with a damp cloth, but the battery exploded again moments later, igniting a rapidly spreading blaze. "

 

Ah!!  Lithium (which many e-bike batteries contain), ignites/has a very rapid chemical reaction on contact with water.....  Do NOT throw water on a lithium battery fire!

[KhunLA]

1 hour ago, SLOWHAND225 said:

Thats why they make charging boxes for those batteries.

As for fault, it would have been the occupant had the fire alarm worked like it should.  Now its the condo's problem.

Along with, RTFM, as surely states...

... don't leave unattended (awaken by) 

 

Common sense would suggest ...

.... or charge in well ventilated area

... outdoors

... away from combustibles

 

An ebike exploding & burning should really be that much of a danger, unless you're an idiot.  

[SLOWHAND225]

57 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

 

An ebike exploding & burning should really be that much of a danger, unless you're an idiot.  

 

Go look on youtube for exploding lithium batteries. Nothing to do with being an idiot

[johng]

There was a horrible video a few months ago of a guy that got into a lift with carrying his battery it exploded while he was trapped in the lift and was burnt to death.

[smedly]

16 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

a fire broke out due to an exploding electric bicycle battery

this is a serious issue, ebikes ecars etc etc especially from China are an exteme Hazzard and are very difficult to deal with

[jacko45k]

17 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

. The building’s fire alarm system did not activate until after the fire service had entered the building.

I wonder if they activated it themselves using a pull station or button? The fact that automatic detection (smoke or heat detectors) seemed to fail is worrying......had they been disabled?

[mikebell]

'serious concerns about fire safety standards and the growing risks associated' with Thailand.  The Chinese got the message and moved to safer shores whilst TAT is still pondering why tourist numbers are down.

[KhunLA]

15 hours ago, SLOWHAND225 said:

 

Go look on youtube for exploding lithium batteries. Nothing to do with being an idiot

It's not the batteries, it's where they are charging them, and leaving them unattended.

 

I would never charge my ebike inside the house.  I wouldn't charge my MB inside a garage, if connected to a house, if I had a garage.

 

I don't even charge my drone batteries in the house, if I'm not going to be there. 

 

Sh!t does happens.  Actually had one of my smaller, old, should have be trashed long ago, drone battery pop, while charging.  No drama, no flames, just POP.

 

OK, the drones, ebike & MB aren't LFP chemistry, so caution is observed.   I wouldn't, don't have the same concerns charging the car, as that is LFP, or worry about my solar system batteries, which are inside the house, but also LFP chemistry, and live in AC comfort.

 

Even the AA & AAA battery charger states ... "don't charge unattended"

 

That uncommon common sense, some folks simply don't have.

[WorriedNoodle]

10 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

That uncommon common sense, some folks simply don't have.

Is the main point of your many posts that not everyone is a clever cloggs like yourself? That's the vibe I get, not pretty.

[dddave]

4 hours ago, smedly said:

this is a serious issue, ebikes ecars etc etc especially from China are an exteme Hazzard and are very difficult to deal with

In New York City, in 2023 they had 10 deaths directly attributable to EBike batteries. Four of those deaths were from a fire in an apartment house with a ebike shop on the ground floor.

[SAFETY FIRST]

21 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

condominium early morning on 7 June, after a fire broke out due to an exploding electric bicycle battery

I see many foreigners buying these cheap, nasty, unroadworthy vehicles. 

 

I see these foreigners using condominium general power outlets to charge these dangerous vehicles. 

 

Anyone had the Juristic management  making it illegal to charge off general power condominium outlets? 

 

[KhunLA]

43 minutes ago, WorriedNoodle said:

Is the main point of your many posts that not everyone is a clever cloggs like yourself? That's the vibe I get, not pretty.

No, I try to learn something new everyday.

 

... compared to some, I'm a 'super genius'

... compared to others, I'm still an 'idiot'

 

Does amaze me, the lack of common sense in some people.  Unless you think the news of all the mishaps, accidents, are from people with common sense.

 

... MVA, usually human error, 'speed kills'

... getting run over crossing the street, 'look first'

 

Endless examples of avoidable injuries and deaths.  Check out YT's 'idiots at work', and 'idiots in cars'

 

You can't fix stupid 

[jacko45k]

20 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Even the AA & AAA battery charger states ... "don't charge unattended"

Although it does detract from the convenience of things if one has to sit and watch it for 4 hours. 

[matchar]

On 6/7/2025 at 4:52 PM, KhunLA said:

Along with, RTFM, as surely states...

... don't leave unattended (awaken by) 

 

Common sense would suggest ...

.... or charge in well ventilated area

... outdoors

... away from combustibles

 

An ebike exploding & burning should really be that much of a danger, unless you're an idiot.  

Even if he had he been awake, the outcome would have been the same since he woke up as soon as he heard the explosion.

 

Since living in a condo, the balcony was probably the most suitable place he could charge it.

 

Maybe it's a good idea to buy a fire extinguisher if you own one of these dangerous battery products.

[KhunLA]

1 hour ago, matchar said:

Even if he had he been awake, the outcome would have been the same since he woke up as soon as he heard the explosion.

 

Since living in a condo, the balcony was probably the most suitable place he could charge it.

 

Maybe it's a good idea to buy a fire extinguisher if you own one of these dangerous battery products.

He couldn't have reacted too quickly, or had a fire extinguisher, or the damage would have been very minimal.

 

Charging while sleeping ... you can't get much dumber than that, unless not at home at all.

 

@jacko45k  don't have to watch  charger, but helps if awake or just in the house.  Unless a huge battery, my ebike (0.96kWh)  & even MB (3.6kWh) only take 2+ hrs at most to charge up.  I don't run either down to <25%.   Neither gets charged indoors.

[newbee2022]

On 6/7/2025 at 12:14 PM, Georgealbert said:

fire alarm failed to activate during the initial outbreak

Was put on "mute".......not to disturb the tenants 

[thjames007]

On 6/7/2025 at 4:52 PM, KhunLA said:

Along with, RTFM, as surely states...

... don't leave unattended (awaken by) 

 

Common sense would suggest ...

.... or charge in well ventilated area

... outdoors

... away from combustibles

 

An ebike exploding & burning should really be that much of a danger, unless you're an idiot.  

What a use less comment. 

[hotchilli]

On 6/7/2025 at 12:14 PM, Georgealbert said:

The building’s fire alarm system did not activate until after the fire service had entered the building.

Safety last

[Peterphuket]

Many blocks of flats have rooms on the ground floor used as bike storage areas, it could become a very big problem if everyone charges their electric bike's battery there.

[jacko45k]

6 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

don't have to watch  charger, but helps if awake or just in the house.  Unless a huge battery, my ebike (0.96kWh)  & even MB (3.6kWh) only take 2+ hrs at most to charge up.  I don't run either down to <25%.   Neither gets charged indoors.

Fair enough... I have seen enough reports of fires to say I don't think I would charge mine by the bed as I sleep too.  But even my phone takes longer than that...(I do not use fast charge as I was told it causes battery  life to deteriorate). Sadly I suspect many do not have much choice if they live in a flat or condo. 

[Nicco]

It's now to the point I will never, ever, ever trust the batteries in these things.

[Nicco]

7 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

.(I do not use fast charge as I was told it causes battery  life to deteriorate)

 

This may or may not be true and it really doesn't matter. You use the phone for 3-4 years and then it goes into bin. In Thailand even irreplaceable batteries can be replaced often for between 500 and 800 baht.

 

This might have been true years ago I think that it is patently ridiculous. If your phone was engineered to fast charge and a fast charger is provided for you especially it can take fast charging lol

[Nicco]

20 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Charging while sleeping ... you can't get much dumber than that, unless not at home at all.

 

Nonsense, these bikes are crap and their batteries are even worse. You shouldn't have to stand by the bloody thing and watch it charge. This would never happen in a western country because this crap can never pass standards