E-bike battery explosion sparks house fire in Lincoln’s South Bottoms

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Lincoln Fire & Rescue rushed to a house fire in the South Bottoms neighborhood on Sunday.

The fire was reported shortly after 12:30 p.m. near Second and F streets.

Battalion Chief Jim Bopp said there was heavy fire was in the basement.

Crews were concerned about it spreading to the first floor and attic but were able to keep it contained, he said.

Firefighters cut a hole in the roof to help ventilate the house.

No one was injured in the fire, but LFR said two people are displaced.

Bopp said the fire started when a lithium-ion battery for an electric bike exploded.

There were multiple batteries in the basement, Bopp said, and the health department came in to help dispose of them.

LFR estimated the damage at $50,000.