Hollywood Lithium-Ion Battery Fire: What Los Angeles Renters and Homeowners Should Keep Within Reach
Key takeaways
- On September 18, 2026, a lithium-ion battery started a fire inside a Hollywood apartment at Schrader Boulevard and Selma Avenue.
- LAFD reported in early 2026 that Los Angeles averages about 45 lithium-ion battery fires every week.
- Your first job in a battery fire is to get out. A properly rated extinguisher by the exit protects your path and handles small fires in nearby materials.
- For most LA apartments, a 5 lb ABC extinguisher is the practical starting point. Garages and e-bike charging areas usually call for a 10 lb unit.
What happened in the Hollywood lithium-ion battery fire?
According to Beverly Press (Edwin Folven, September 23, 2026), the fire was reported at about 9:25 a.m. on September 18 at an apartment building at 1611 Schrader Blvd., at the corner of Selma Avenue in Hollywood. LAFD firefighters kept it to a single unit and had it contained within 12 minutes. Two people were evaluated for non-life-threatening injuries, and neither needed to go to the hospital.
LAFD spokesman Jamie Stewart confirmed that a lithium-ion battery started the fire, but he could not say which device it powered. Hazardous materials specialists removed and disposed of the battery.
What we don’t know: The report does not name the device, brand or charging conditions involved, so we don’t guess at them here.
Why are lithium-ion battery fires a growing problem in Los Angeles?
Phones, laptops, power tools, e-bikes and e-scooters all run on lithium-ion batteries, and dense LA neighborhoods like Hollywood, Koreatown, Westlake and Downtown have a lot of them charging behind apartment doors. In an ABC7 investigation (February 6, 2026), LAFD said the city averages about 45 lithium-ion battery fires a week. The department’s hazmat program manager also urged the city to require UL-certified batteries for e-bikes and e-scooters.
A damaged, cheap or overcharged battery can go into thermal runaway, where it heats itself, vents toxic gas and can reignite. That is why the goal at home is early warning and a clear way out, backed by the right extinguisher for the fire that spreads around the battery.
Can a fire extinguisher put out a lithium-ion battery fire?
Not reliably. A portable extinguisher cannot stop a battery cell in thermal runaway. What it can do is knock down flames in bedding, furniture, packaging or other items the battery ignites. That can buy the seconds you need to get out safely or to keep a small fire from spreading while 911 is on the way.
- Get people out and close the door behind you to slow the smoke.
- Call 911. Tell the dispatcher a lithium-ion battery is involved.
- Use an extinguisher only if the fire is small, you have a clear exit at your back, and you have been trained with PASS (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep).
- Don’t pick up or move a smoking battery. Let LAFD handle it, as hazmat did in Hollywood.
Where should you keep an extinguisher in an LA apartment or home?
| Location | Why | Suggested Amerex unit |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen, near the exit | Most home fires start with cooking. Keep it where you can grab it on the way out, not beside the stove. | B500 5 lb ABC |
| E-bike / scooter charging spot | Batteries charging for hours are the top home battery risk. | B500 5 lb ABC or B456 10 lb ABC |
| Garage or workshop | Power-tool batteries, fuel, solvents and cardboard all in one place. | B456 10 lb ABC |
| Home office / media room | Electronics you’d rather not coat in dry-chemical powder. | 270 Water Mist (2A:C) |
| Apartment hallway / common area | Shared exit path. A cabinet keeps it visible and protected. | B500 + 5 lb steel cabinet |
LAFD lithium-ion battery safety checklist for Los Angeles residents
- Never leave lithium-ion batteries charging unattended, and unplug them once they are full.
- Charge e-bikes and e-scooters in a well-ventilated area, away from your exit path.
- Keep batteries out of direct sunlight and away from flammable materials. That matters in LA heat.
- Buy batteries and chargers with UL certification, and use the manufacturer’s charger.
- Stop using any battery that is swollen, hot, leaking or smells unusual.
- Dispose of old batteries at an approved household hazardous waste site, such as an LA Sanitation S.A.F.E. Center. Don’t put them in the trash.
- Test smoke alarms monthly, and check your extinguisher gauge and pin every month.
Recommended Amerex extinguishers for Los Angeles homes and apartments
Tesla Fire Systems LLC supplies genuine Amerex extinguishers to homeowners, renters, landlords and property managers across Los Angeles and LA County. These are the models we point most residential customers to:
Amerex B500 5 lb ABC Dry Chemical Extinguisher (2A:10B:C)
A compact 5 lb ABC unit for Class A, B and C fires. It’s the everyday choice for LA kitchens, bedrooms and apartment units, and it comes with a wall bracket.
View productAmerex B456 10 lb ABC Dry Chemical Extinguisher (4A:80B:C)
A 10 lb ABC unit rated 4A:80B:C. It gives you more agent and a longer discharge for garages, workshops and e-bike charging areas.
View productAmerex 270 1.75 Gallon Water Mist Extinguisher (2A:C)
A 1.75 gallon deionized water mist unit listed for Class A and C fires. It suits home offices and electronics-heavy rooms where you want to avoid dry-chemical residue.
View product5 lb Surface-Mounted Steel Extinguisher Cabinet
A surface-mounted steel cabinet that keeps a 5 lb extinguisher visible and protected in apartment hallways and common areas.
View productAlways confirm the listed rating, capacity and intended application on the extinguisher label, and follow the California Fire Code, NFPA 10, your insurer, and any direction from LAFD or your local authority having jurisdiction.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best fire extinguisher for an apartment in Los Angeles?
For most LA apartments, a UL-listed 5 lb ABC dry chemical extinguisher such as the Amerex B500 is the practical choice. It covers ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids and energized electrical equipment, and it is light enough for most adults to use.
Can I use a fire extinguisher on an e-bike battery fire?
A portable extinguisher cannot stop a lithium-ion battery in thermal runaway. Get everyone out, close the door and call 911. Use an extinguisher only on small fires in nearby materials, and only when you have a clear exit behind you.
Are fire extinguishers required in Los Angeles apartment buildings?
The California Fire Code generally requires portable extinguishers in apartment building common areas. Requirements vary by building, so check with your property manager or LAFD. Renters can also keep their own extinguisher inside their unit.
Where should I charge my e-bike in an LA apartment?
LAFD recommends charging e-bikes and e-scooters in a well-ventilated area, away from flammable materials and direct sunlight, and never unattended. Avoid charging them in hallways or next to your only exit.
How often should I check a home fire extinguisher?
Look at it monthly. The gauge needle should be in the green, the pin and tamper seal should be intact, and there should be no dents, corrosion or blocked nozzle. Replace or service any unit that looks damaged or has been used.
Does Tesla Fire Systems deliver to Los Angeles?
Yes. Tesla Fire Systems LLC is based in Dana Point, California and supplies Amerex extinguishers to Los Angeles and LA County. You can order online at teslafire.com or call (949) 637-1301.
Get the right extinguisher for your LA home
Not sure which size or rating fits your apartment, garage or rental property? Call Tesla Fire Systems and we’ll help you choose the right Amerex extinguisher for Los Angeles homes and multi-unit buildings.
Related fire safety guides
- La Verne battery storage fire: facility fire protection
- Warehouse fire extinguisher guide for Los Angeles
- Vehicle and fleet fire extinguishers for LA drivers
- Data center fire protection
Sources
- Beverly Press: Lithium-ion battery sparks fire in Hollywood (Sept. 23, 2026)
- ABC7: LAFD lobbies city leaders for regulations as lithium-ion battery fires rise (Feb. 6, 2026)
News details are summarized from the reports above as published. Causes and details not stated in those reports are not assumed here.