How to Put Out a Lithium Battery Fire: What Actually Works

Your phone starts hissing on the nightstand. Your e-bike begins smoking in the garage. Your kid's hoverboard catches fire in the living room. What do you do?

Here's the uncomfortable truth most articles won't tell you: you often can't "put out" a lithium battery fire the way you'd extinguish a normal fire. These aren't normal fires. The battery is essentially burning itself from the inside, generating its own oxygen, and no amount of smothering will stop it.

But that doesn't mean you're helpless. The right response depends entirely on what's burning—a phone is very different from an e-bike, which is very different from an electric car. This guide breaks down exactly what to do for each scenario, based on what fire departments actually recommend.

Why Lithium Battery Fires Don't Play by Normal Rules

When a lithium-ion battery fails, it enters something called thermal runaway—what UL's electrochemical safety research describes as a chain reaction where the battery's internal temperature spirals out of control. The chemicals inside decompose, releasing heat, which causes more decomposition, which releases more heat.

Three things make this dangerous:

• It generates its own oxygen. You can't smother it like a normal fire because the reaction doesn't need outside air.
• It burns incredibly hot. Temperatures can exceed 600°C (1,112°F) in seconds.
• It can reignite. Even after flames disappear, the battery can restart burning hours or even days later.

This is why firefighters treat lithium battery fires completely differently from regular fires—the NFPA's lithium-ion safety guidelines emphasize containment and cooling over traditional suppression. And why your response needs to match the size of what's burning.

The Honest Answer: Can You Actually Put One Out?

It depends on the size:

Small devices (phones, laptops, power tools): Yes, you can usually manage these at home with the right approach. Water and a fire blanket can contain the fire until it burns itself out.

E-bikes and e-scooters: Maybe. If it's outdoors, you might be able to contain it. If it's inside your home, get out and call 911.

Electric vehicles: No. Evacuate immediately. EV battery fires require thousands of gallons of water and specialized equipment. This is not a DIY situation.

The key word throughout this guide is contain, not extinguish. Your goal is to keep the fire from spreading while it burns itself out or until professionals arrive.

Warning Signs: Catch It Before It Catches Fire

Lithium batteries rarely fail without warning. If you notice any of these signs, stop using the device immediately and move it somewhere safe:

• Hissing or popping sounds — Gas is venting from inside the battery
• Sweet chemical smell — Like nail polish remover or ether
• Smoke or vapor — Even a small wisp means something is wrong
• Battery swelling — The case is bulging or warped
• Excessive heat — Too hot to hold during normal use or charging
• Discoloration — Burn marks or unusual spots on the battery

If you catch a failing battery before it ignites, you have options. Move it outside to a non-flammable surface (concrete, gravel, dirt) away from anything that can burn. Then let it sit. Many batteries will vent gas and overheat without ever catching fire. But don't bring it back inside—and don't assume the danger has passed.

How to Respond: Small Devices (Phones, Laptops, Power Tools)

A burning phone or laptop is scary, but it's manageable if you act quickly and don't panic.

Step 1: Protect your hands. If you need to move the device, use oven mitts, tongs, or a thick towel. Battery fires cause serious burns.

Step 2: Unplug it if safe. If the device is charging and you can safely reach the cord without touching the device, unplug it. Don't risk getting burned—skip this step if there's any doubt.

Step 3: Move it to a safe surface. Get it onto concrete, ceramic tile, a metal baking sheet, or into a bathtub or sink. Away from anything flammable. Away from other batteries.

Step 4: Apply water. Yes, water. For lithium-ion batteries (which is what's in your phone, laptop, and most consumer devices), water helps. It won't stop the internal reaction, but it cools the battery and slows the fire. Pour or spray water from a safe distance. Lots of it.

Step 5: Cover with a fire blanket. Once the worst flames are down, drape a fire blanket over the device. This contains remaining flames and traps the toxic fumes these fires produce.

Step 6: Ventilate. Open windows and doors. Lithium battery fires release hydrogen fluoride and other toxic gases. Get fresh air flowing and leave the room.

Step 7: Call for help if it spreads. If the fire ignites anything else or you can't control it within a minute or two, get out and call 911.

Important: Don't assume it's over. Battery fires can reignite. Leave the device on the safe surface for at least 24 hours, preferably outside, before disposing of it properly.

Traveling? The FAA requires lithium batteries in carry-on bags, not checked luggage—precisely because cabin crews can respond faster if something goes wrong.

How to Respond: E-Bikes and E-Scooters

E-bike and e-scooter batteries are much larger than phone batteries—and the fires they produce are correspondingly more intense. A 2025 apartment fire in France killed four people when an e-scooter ignited overnight. These aren't devices you can casually manage.

If it's outdoors:

• Move away immediately—at least 30 feet
• Call 911
• Do NOT try to extinguish it
• Let it burn in place if there's nothing nearby that can catch fire
• Warn others to stay back

If it's in your garage or home:

• Get everyone out immediately
• Close doors behind you to slow the spread
• Call 911 from outside
• Do NOT try to move the burning device
• Do NOT go back for anything

If it ignites while charging:

• Do NOT try to unplug it—electrocution risk plus the fire makes this too dangerous
• Evacuate, close the door, call 911

Containment option (outdoor fires only): If the fire is outside and away from structures, a fire blanket can help contain it while you wait for the fire department. Approach from upwind, drape the blanket over the device, and retreat. This buys time and reduces toxic smoke spread—but only attempt this if you can do it safely.

How to Respond: Electric Vehicles

Let's be direct: if an EV battery catches fire, your only job is to get away from it.

EV battery fires burn at over 1,000°C (2,000°F). They release massive amounts of toxic gas. They can explode. They require somewhere between 10,000 and 40,000 gallons of water to control—compared to about 1,000 gallons for a typical gasoline car fire. Fire departments train specifically for these events, and they still find them challenging.

Here's what to do:

1. Get everyone at least 100 feet away — Battery cells can eject as projectiles
2. Call 911 immediately — Tell them it's an electric vehicle or battery fire
3. Stay upwind — The smoke is toxic
4. Do NOT return to the vehicle — Not for belongings, not for anything
5. Warn others — Keep people away from the area

For first responders, fleet managers, and parking structure operators, specialized EV fire blankets rated above 1,500°C (2,900°F) can contain vehicle fires while waiting for full suppression resources. But this is professional equipment for professional use—not something a bystander should attempt. Our EV Fire Safety Guide covers deployment procedures in detail.

What NOT to Do

Some instinctive responses actually make things worse:

Don't rely only on a fire extinguisher. Standard ABC fire extinguishers can knock down flames temporarily, but they won't stop thermal runaway. The fire will likely reignite. Extinguishers help, but they're not the complete solution.

Don't try to smother it with a blanket or dirt. Normal smothering works by cutting off oxygen. Lithium battery fires generate their own oxygen internally. A regular blanket will just catch fire. (Fire blankets are different—they're designed to withstand the heat and contain the fire, not smother it.)

Don't submerge the battery in a container of water. While spraying water helps cool the fire, fully submerging a lithium battery can cause violent reactions in some cases. Spray or pour—don't dunk.

Don't put it in the freezer. This doesn't stop the chemical reaction and just puts a fire hazard inside your kitchen appliance.

Don't assume the fire is out. This might be the most important one. Lithium batteries can reignite 24-48 hours after they appear extinguished. Fire departments monitor EV fires for extended periods for exactly this reason.

Don't stay to record video. Seriously. The toxic fumes and explosion risk aren't worth the content.

Do Fire Extinguishers Work on Lithium Batteries?

Sort of. Here's the breakdown by type:

ABC Dry Chemical: The extinguisher most people have at home. It can suppress flames temporarily but won't stop thermal runaway. Useful as part of your response, not the whole response.

Class D (Metal Fires): These are designed for burning metals like magnesium. Some sources recommend them for lithium fires, but they're really meant for lithium-metal batteries (industrial applications), not the lithium-ion batteries in consumer devices. And they're expensive and hard to find.

CO2 Extinguishers: Minimal cooling effect. Flames typically return quickly.

Specialized Lithium Extinguishers (AVD, F-500): More effective than standard options. They encapsulate burning materials and provide better cooling. But they're costly, not widely available, and still won't fully stop an aggressive thermal runaway.

The best approach for home safety: have a standard ABC extinguisher for knocking down flames, plus a fire blanket for containment. For more on fire extinguisher classes and when to use each type, see our detailed guide.

Can You Use Water on a Lithium Battery Fire?

This is one of the most confusing questions because the answer depends on the battery type:

Lithium-ION batteries (most consumer devices): Yes, water helps. The water won't stop the internal chemical reaction, but it cools the battery, slows the reaction rate, and can prevent the fire from spreading. Use lots of water from a safe distance.

Lithium-METAL batteries: Avoid water. These can react violently with water. Use dry sand or a Class D extinguisher instead. But here's the thing—lithium-metal batteries are rare in consumer products. They're mostly found in industrial applications and some specialty devices.

How do you know which you have? If it's a phone, laptop, power tool, e-bike, or EV, it's almost certainly lithium-ion. Water is fine. If you're working with industrial equipment or specialty batteries, check the label.

Fire Blankets for Lithium Battery Fires

Fire blankets work differently than you might expect for battery fires. They're not smothering the fire (remember, these fires make their own oxygen). Instead, they're containing it—trapping flames and toxic gases while the reaction burns itself out.

For small devices: A standard fire blanket rated to 500°C+ (1,000°F+) works well. Cover the device completely and leave the blanket in place. This contains the fire, reduces toxic fume exposure, and prevents spread to nearby objects.

For e-bikes and small EVs: You need a higher temperature rating, and this should only be attempted outdoors. Standard fire blankets may not withstand the more intense heat from larger batteries.

For full-size EVs: Specialized EV fire blankets rated above 1,500°C (2,900°F) are used by fire departments and fleet managers. These are large (covering an entire vehicle), require training to deploy properly, and are single-use due to toxic contamination. See our complete EV fire blanket guide for details.

After the Fire: What Happens Next

Once the immediate danger has passed:

• Don't touch the burned battery — It's contaminated with toxic heavy metals
• Ventilate the area — Keep windows open for at least 24 hours
• Watch for reignition — Monitor the device for the next 48 hours
• Dispose of it properly — Burned lithium batteries are hazardous waste, not regular trash
• Contact your fire department — They can advise on safe disposal in your area
• Document everything — Photos and notes help with insurance claims

For more on general fire safety and prevention, visit our Fire Blanket Guide or check our FAQ section.