Fire breaks out in container of e-bike batteries in Wijchen
A fire broke out shortly after midnight in a container filled with bicycle batteries on an industrial site on the outskirts of Wijchen, prompting authorities to warn nearby residents to stay indoors as firefighters worked through the early morning hours to contain the blaze.
The fire was discovered just after 12 a.m. and had largely subsided by about 4 a.m., according to the Veiligheidsregio Gelderland-Zuid. Fire crews remained on site early morning to continue cooling the batteries, which can reignite due to their chemical composition.
As a precaution, residents living near the industrial area were advised to keep windows and doors closed and to turn off mechanical ventilation systems to avoid potential exposure to smoke or fumes.
The container was located on the premises of a wholesaler that supplies electric bicycles to delivery services. The company allows business customers to purchase or lease bicycles and reported that it works with more than 1,700 companies. It said it operates in 300 cities across Europe and the United Kingdom.
