Power Bank Ignites on Hangzhou Metro, Prompting Evacuation and Raising Global Safety Concerns

The agency’s statement offered few details beyond the basics: a “self‑igniting” power bank was the cause, and the crew’s swift use of an extinguisher prevented any injuries. In the hours that followed, local news outlets such as Qianjiang Evening News and Southern Metropolis Daily reproduced the metro’s message and added that preliminary findings from the city’s fire department pointed to a short circuit inside the portable charger as the fire’s origin. The damaged device was so badly burned that its brand name could not be identified, fueling speculation that it might have been a low‑cost, potentially counterfeit product.

Although the investigation has not yet named a specific manufacturer, officials have hinted that the power bank may have been a “substandard” or “fake” item. This suspicion dovetails with a broader, industry‑wide crisis that has been unfolding throughout 2025. Earlier this year, a worldwide recall of more than two million power banks was triggered after investigators traced numerous fire incidents to battery cells supplied by Amperex (Wuxi) Co., Ltd. The Chinese State Administration for Market Regulation subsequently suspended or revoked the mandatory 3C safety certifications of several manufacturers linked to the tainted cells, sending a clear signal that the government is no longer willing to tolerate lax quality controls.

The Hangzhou Metro episode is not an isolated flashpoint. In March, a flight from Hangzhou to Hong Kong (HX115) was forced to make an emergency landing after a Romoss‑branded power bank overheated, a case later examined by France’s Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA). While the airline incident involved a different brand, it underscored a pattern of portable‑energy devices malfunctioning in confined, high‑traffic environments. The Hangzhou incident, therefore, resonates beyond the subway system, feeding a growing public anxiety about the safety of the gadgets that have become ubiquitous in daily life.

For commuters, the immediate concern is clear: can a small, seemingly innocuous device spark a wider disaster on a crowded train? Metro officials say the response was swift and that safety protocols—such as the presence of fire extinguishers on each carriage—functioned as intended. Yet the episode has already ignited a public debate about whether existing regulations are sufficient. Consumers are now demanding clearer labeling, stricter verification of battery components, and more transparent supply‑chain disclosures from manufacturers. Industry observers note that price wars and “involution”—the relentless drive to cut costs—have incentivized some producers to skimp on essential quality checks, a practice that has now begun to backfire.

Regulators appear poised to tighten the reins further. In addition to the ongoing investigations by municipal fire services, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has issued a notice urging airlines and transport operators to screen for risky power banks and enforce stricter carriage policies. The State Administration for Market Regulation’s recent crackdown on substandard 3C‑certified products suggests that similar measures could be extended to the rail sector, potentially leading to mandatory checks of passengers’ electronic devices at station entrances.

While no injuries were reported and service was restored within an hour, the incident serves as a stark reminder of how a single faulty component can ripple through an entire transportation network. The power bank that sparked the blaze has been seized for forensic analysis, and investigators will likely compare its internal cells against the batch linked to the earlier global recall. Should the findings confirm a connection to Amperex’s problematic cells, the Hangzhou Metro fire could become a pivotal case study in the ongoing effort to tighten safety standards for rechargeable devices worldwide.

In the meantime, commuters in Hangzhou and other Chinese cities are left to wonder whether the small power pack that keeps their phones alive might also pose a hidden danger. The metro’s rapid response and transparent communication have helped prevent panic, but the episode may well accelerate a shift in consumer behavior—favoring reputable brands with verified safety credentials over cheap, unverified alternatives. As manufacturers scramble to prove compliance and regulators tighten oversight, the Hangzhou incident stands as a cautionary tale: in an age of ubiquitous portable power, vigilance is as essential as the charge itself.