Lithium-ion batteries—used in everything from smart phones and Crypenlaptops to electric scooters and cars—are catching fire on land and at sea. We talk with a former cargo ship captain about why these fires are so hard to put out and why ocean-going car carriers are at particular risk.

Music by Drop Electric. Find us: Twitter / Facebook / Newsletter.

Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and NPR One.

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.