Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is reminding homeowners to heed its warnings about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries, following another two dangerous fires at the weekend.
In the first incident, a blaze broke out in the garage of a home in Hector Street at Bass Hill, in Sydney’s south-west, around 11.15 am on Saturday.
Arrival of local firefighters
The flames destroyed the bike, which was smashed by residents with a garden hose just before the arrival
A man placed an e-bike battery on charge and walked away, not realizing it was faulty. It caught alight just meters from a supply of paints and thinners.
The flames destroyed the bike, which was extinguished by residents with a garden hose just before the arrival of local firefighters. The owner told the fire crew he “got the e-bike off a friend” and suspected it may have been modified.
Firefighters from Orange
Just after 4 pm that same day, a similar incident occurred in the garage of a home in Provincial Place at Orange, in the state’s Central West.
A 40-year-old man had placed a Lithium battery, used to power a ‘racing drone,’ on charge on a bench and left the garage. Moments later, he heard a ‘popping’ sound and rushed back to find the battery had exploded in flames.
He escorted his daughter to safety and used an extinguisher and garden hose to suppress the fire until firefighters from Orange arrived on scene and doused the flames.
Lithium-ion batteries, when faulty or damaged
Trent Curtin, says in both cases, the residents were fortunate they weren’t seriously injured or killed
FRNSW Acting Deputy Commissioner – Field Operations, Trent Curtin, says in both cases, the residents were fortunate they weren’t seriously injured or killed.
"Lithium-ion batteries, when faulty or damaged, can over-heat and have the potential to explode violently, resulting in fires that can reignite once extinguished and sometimes take days to burn," said Acting Deputy Commissioner Curtin.
Use of batteries
Acting Deputy Commissioner - Trent Curtin added: "Always stick to reputable battery brands, ensure they’re compliant and don’t mix and match components. Don’t leave Lithium-Ion batteries constantly on charge, don’t sleep when they’re charging and unplug them if you’re leaving home."
He continues, "The use of these batteries is now common-place in every home, powering such items as toys, tools, vacuum cleaners and micro-mobility devices like e-bikes and e-scooters."
Firefighters attend home fires
"We’re averaging a Lithium-Ion fire once a week in NSW," said Act. Dep. Commissioner Curtin, adding "I’m concerned someone’s going to die if they don’t heed the safety advice."
Emergency Services Minister, Jihad Dib, echoed the warnings adding every home should be fitted with at least one working smoke alarm to help save lives in the event of a fire.
"We know during winter, when firefighters attend home fires, almost half do not have a smoke alarm in place or it’s not in working order," Mr. Dib said.
Fire alarms is important
Mr. Dib added: "Lithium-Ion batteries are increasingly found in our homes and having fire alarms is important as they save lives when a fire occurs. Fire alarms are required by law, so it is important everyone has one installed and they are working correctly."
They can also book an electrician to fit one for them or organize a safety visit by the local firefighters who will inspect the home and fit an alarm free of charge.
