Lithium-ion battery-powered devices have caused two fires in Sydney over the past two days. The first fire involved an e-bike inside a home in Elizabeth Crescent, Northmead, on Tuesday around 5.00 pm.
The e-bike was being charged with an after-market battery when it caught fire. Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews were called to the single-storey residence and could see smoke issuing and flames coming from the front door.
Fire involved a lithium-ion battery
Firefighters quickly got to work and extinguished the blaze in about 10 minutes
Firefighters quickly got to work and extinguished the blaze in approximately 10 minutes. One person suffered smoke inhalation and was transported to the hospital.
The second fire involved a lithium-ion battery from a leaf blower, which caught fire in the back of a moving vehicle.
Destroyed and smouldering
The driver was travelling along Fourth Avenue, Willoughby East at 8.15 am yesterday when he could smell smoke within the car and could see it issuing from underneath the bonnet. He pulled over and realized the battery, which was located in the boot of the vehicle, was on fire.
Using a towel, the driver removed the battery and placed it on the medium strip before calling Triple Zero (000). When firefighters arrived on scene, the battery was completely destroyed and smouldering.
Fastest-growing fire risk in NSW
The crew immersed the device in water, where it continued to bubble before it cooled down about 30 minutes later. Lithium-ion battery fires are the fastest-growing fire risk in NSW.
The two fires are a timely reminder for people to ensure safe charging practices are adhered to, including:
- Always charge larger devices, such as e-bikes, e-scooters, and power tools outside, away from living spaces and exits.
- Never sleep or leave home with the lithium-ion battery devices charging.
- Once a device has fully charged, disconnect it from the charger.
- Never leave devices charging on beds, sofas, or around combustible materials.
Most importantly, a working smoke alarm should be installed in any room, garage, or structure where lithium-ion batteries are regularly charged or stored.
