Fire and Rescue NSW reinforces Lithium-Ion battery safety warnings after another two dangerous incidents - Bass Hill and Orange
Published: 26 Jun 2023 03:44pm
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 11.15am on Saturday.
A man placed an e-bike battery on charge and walked away, not realising it was faulty.
It caught alight just metres 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.
Just after 4pm 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.
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,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Curtin said.
“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.
“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.
“We’re averaging a Lithium-Ion fire once a week in NSW,” Act. Dep. Commissioner Curtin said, “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.
“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.”
You can also book an electrician to fit one for you or organise a safety visit by your local firefighters who will inspect your home and fit an alarm free of charge.
To book a home safety visit: https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=9316 [external link]
Updated: 26 Jun 2023 03:48pm
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It's important that we all understand the risks of lithium-ion batteries and be prepared if things go wrong.
It“s the law to have at least one working smoke alarm installed on every level of your home.
Details about this incident may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice.
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