A lithium-ion battery from an electric bicycle exploded inside an Oregon home, triggering a fast-moving fire that destroyed the two-story property and displaced six residents. Everyone inside escaped, but a family cat died in the incident.
The fire broke out Thursday night, Nov. 5, at a home on East Historic Columbia River Highway in Troutdale, near Portland, Oregon. A surveillance video captured the battery failure and the rapid spread of flames through the house.
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According to KPTV and ABC News reports published Nov. 9 and 10, the homeowner, Kari Ann Peniche, said the fire started with an e-bike battery she had given her 15-year-old son, Preston, as a Christmas gift.
The battery was reportedly not plugged in when the incident occurred. It was resting on a padded chair inside the living room when it began smoking and eventually exploded.
Peniche said the fire spread within seconds, leaving the family with little time to escape. The household included Peniche, her children, and another couple, Kelli Gasaway and her partner. All six residents made it out safely, but the fire destroyed their belongings and killed Gasaway’s cat, Pax.
Fire officials explain lithium-ion battery risk
Shawn Durham, battalion chief and fire marshal with Gresham Fire, said investigators determined that the fire was caused by the failure and explosion of lithium-ion batteries used in the electric bicycle.
He explained that when one battery cell fails, it can trigger a chain reaction involving other cells, releasing substantial heat and causing flames to spread rapidly. The incident has renewed concerns about the fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes, electric scooters and other rechargeable devices.
Oregon reports rising battery-related fires
The incident comes as Oregon authorities report a growing number of fires involving lithium-ion batteries.
According to the Oregon State Fire Marshal, fire agencies responded to 649 lithium-ion battery-related fires between 2020 and 2025. The number of incidents increased by an average of 19% annually during that period.
In 2025 alone, firefighters responded to 161 such fires, more than double the number recorded in 2020. The figures cover lithium-ion batteries across different products, not just electric bicycles.
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The incident also highlights an important safety concern: lithium-ion batteries can catch fire even when they are not actively charging. However, reports differ on the circumstances of this particular explosion. ABC News described the battery as exploding while charging, while homeowner Kari Ann Peniche told KPTV it was unplugged and resting on a padded chair.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has warned against using incompatible universal chargers with e-bikes and other micromobility products because they can increase the risk of battery fires.
The six residents are now facing the loss of their home and belongings, while fundraising efforts have been launched to help the two households recover.