On April 22, it was reported that in the early hours of April 7, 2023, a fire occurred in a residential area in Fengtai District, Beijing, resulting in two fatalities and one injury.
The cause of the fire was identified as a lithium battery of an electric bike experiencing thermal runaway during the charging process, igniting surrounding combustible materials.
According to official statements, the man responsible for bringing the battery home for charging has been charged with arson.
According to information from the China Judgments Online website dated April 22, 2024, the case has undergone trials of both first instance and appeal, with the defendant Zhou being convicted of arson and sentenced to four years and six months in prison.
The judgment of the Fengtai District People's Court established the following facts: On the night of April 6, 2023, around 10 p.m., the defendant Zhou was charging the lithium battery of his Green Power electric bike at home for personal use. Around 4 a.m. the next day, the battery being charged suddenly exploded, causing the fire.
The fire spread rapidly, generating a large amount of smoke. After extinguishing the fire, rescue personnel found the deceased Guo (female, 88 years old), Huang (female, 52 years old), and Chen (female, specific age not provided) in Zhou's home and the hallway.
