Summer Heat Sparks Battery Fire Surge: Experts Warn of Thermal Runaway

Recent weeks have seen a troubling rise in fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, prompting safety warnings as summer temperatures climb. On June 4, a fire in an apartment in Buk-gu, Ulsan was attributed to a portable battery ignition, producing thick black smoke that poured from windows. This incident is part of a broader pattern of thermal runaway events—a chain reaction where a battery cell overheats and ignites neighboring cells, often intensified by heat. Authorities urge consumers to avoid exposing batteries to direct sunlight, overcharging, or physical damage, and to use only certified chargers. The Korea Consumer Protection Board advises checking for swelling, leakage, or unusual heat as early warning signs.