The Brussels fire brigade responded to a burning electric scooter in a flat in Schaarbeek on Saturday evening, with no injuries reported.
The incident occurred on the third floor of a building on Haachtsesteenweg. The scooter was inside a flat, but residents moved it to the hallway when it caught fire. Firefighters arrived quickly and extinguished the flames.
“No one was injured, and damage was minimal,” said fire brigade spokesperson Walter Derieuw. “After ventilating the flats and checking for carbon monoxide, residents were allowed to return. Unfortunately, we found no smoke detectors in the building.”
The fire brigade determined that the scooter’s battery had ignited. They offered several tips for safely charging batteries at home: “Buy a quality device, follow the manufacturer’s instructions, use only the original charger, or purchase accessories from reputable brands. It’s best to let devices cool down completely after prolonged or intense use. Always charge the battery near a smoke detector, in a fire-safe area, away from flammable materials.”
The spokesperson added, “Don’t place the battery in direct sunlight or on a heating system; choose a dry spot with a stable temperature. Supervise while charging and unplug once the battery is full. Avoid charging at night. If you have had an accident with the scooter or e-bike, dropped the battery, or it got wet, inspect for damage and have it checked by a specialist.”
