Less damage to homes through fires, but battery blazes rise

Home fires caused an estimated €220 million in damage in 2024, according to new figures from the Dutch insurers association VvV.

Insurers received nearly 47,000 claims for house fires last year, down from almost 52,000 in 2023 and continuing a downward trend that began in 2018.

Almost half of all fires start through human error, said the association’s director Richard Weurding. “It’s good news that the number of claims is falling, but we must not become complacent,” he said. “Smoke alarms are important, but so are other safety measures because fires can also put neighbours at risk.”

While the total number of house fires is falling, incidents involving batteries are on the rise. Data from Stichting Salvage, which provides help for people faced with home fires on behalf of insurers, show that 2.2% of house fires last year were probably caused by batteries from electric bikes, scooters or mopeds.

Batteries and accumulators together were the suspected cause in almost 5% of all home fires, up from 3% a year earlier.

Last month, for example, the emergency services evacuated the inhabitants of eight apartments in The Hague when the battery of an electric fatbike caught fire during recharging.

These fires are not limited to vehicles and power tools, toys, tablets and mobile phones are also increasingly linked to outbreaks. “The number of fires involving batteries and light electric vehicles is still high,” Weurding said. “People need to be more aware of the risks.”

Carolien Angevaren from the Dutch fire service said the number of battery fires “remains worryingly high”

“We’re also seeing more cases where a battery fire blocks the escape route, which is worrying,” she said. “Charge batteries only when you’re at home, in a room with a smoke alarm, and always use the original charger.”

Some fire brigade officials now suggest banning electric vehicles from underground car parks, warning that battery fires are too difficult to control and pose a serious safety risk in enclosed spaces.