Varsity bus gutted by e-scooter charging fire

FAISALABAD:

A fire erupted in the parking area of the Government College Women University Faisalabad (GCWUF) on Wednesday while an electric scooter was being charged.

Though timely intervention prevented any casualty, the incident exposed potential safety risks associated with the rapidly expanding use of electric two wheelers at educational institutions.

According to the university, the incident occurred when the battery of the electric scooter exploded while it was being charged in the parking area.

The resulting fire spread to a university bus parked nearby and gutted it. No injury was reported.

The incident, however, raised questions whether electric scooters are being charged at designated and adequately protected locations, whether charging equipment and batteries are regularly inspected and whether sufficient separation exists between the vehicles and other combustible items. The university administration credited its security and estate staff along with Rescue 1122 for their timely response, saying the coordinated action helped protect people present on the premises.