I fear my neighbor charging an electric bike in our apartment hallway

The apartment building’s narrow hallway was already cluttered with bicycles, paintings, bird cages, and other items. Now, this bike stood directly in line with the emergency staircase. The thought of it catching fire and filling the only escape route with thick smoke was frightening.

As a long-time neighbor, I am unsure how to raise my concerns without creating tension. But I know that charging electric vehicles in communal hallways is dangerous. Lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries can explode or ignite if they overheat, short-circuit, or are charged for too long. Even a small fire could quickly fill the corridor with smoke, and placing the bike at the emergency exit would impede evacuation.

It is not easy to remind a neighbor of such risks. As a Vietnamese saying goes, "A near neighbor is better than a distant relative." I worry that speaking up might damage our relationship, but staying silent leaves the hazard unaddressed.

From what I have read, charging an electric vehicle with a substandard power outlet can cause wires to overheat, leading to short circuits and sparks. In an enclosed hallway, heat from the battery and charger cannot dissipate, raising the risk of overheating and fire.

There is also the danger of "thermal runaway," when a damaged or overheated battery triggers a chain reaction, causing temperatures to rise uncontrollably and potentially explode. Lithium-ion battery fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish and can spread quickly to other items stored nearby.

Blocking the only emergency stairway with a bike also hinders evacuation. In an emergency, people could trip over the cable or get stuck behind the vehicle, delaying escape.

Recent incidents linked to charging electric vehicles are widely reported. Public safety is not a private matter, it only takes a little attention to prevent a disaster. I hope readers can advise me on a reasonable and tactful way to address this situation. Perhaps it could prevent a tragedy.

*Readers' opinions are personal and do not necessarily match VnExpress' viewpoints.