Investigation report released on e-bike fire that killed 8 in Southwest China

KUNMING -- An investigation into a deadly shop fire in Kunming city, which killed 8 people on April 12, 2025, has concluded that the blaze originated from an illegally modified e-bike battery during indoor charging. The report recommends accountability measures for 25 individuals.

According to findings released by the Yunnan province fire and rescue department in Southwest China, the fire started when a modified e-bike battery short-circuited while being charged indoors. The flames quickly engulfed the vehicle itself and spread to nearby e-bikes, spare parts, sofa and other combustible materials.

The shop had been illegally converted into a combined commercial and living space. With no proper fire separation or independent evacuation facilities between its two floors, high-temperature smoke quickly filled the staircase after the fire started, drastically reducing escape time for occupants.

Nine people were inside the shop at the time of the fire. The sole survivor, who is also the shop operator and charged the modified e-bike indoors, has been placed under residential surveillance by the Kunming Police Department due to suspicion of causing the deadly fire.

The report calls for authorities to tighten the oversight of product quality and modification activities, enforce stricter sales access and quality controls for e-bikes, improve safety management in parking areas, and strengthen public fire safety education.