Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is urging the public to be extra cautious after what appears to be the state’s first recorded deaths in a Lithium-Ion battery-related fire last week.
About 4.10 am on Thursday 29 February 2024, four people were inside a townhouse at Teralba at Lake Macquarie when a fire broke out (see our cover photo).
FRNSW investigators believe a battery was compromised and immediately went into ‘Thermal Runaway,’ a process where a Lithium-Ion cell overheats and gives off toxic gases before exploding in flames.
Two of the occupants escaped the intense flames but two others inside the townhouse were killed, their bodies recovered from the unstable ruins on Friday and Saturday.
NSW Police are working to formally identify the victims and prepare a report for the NSW Coroner, who will formally decide the cause of the deaths.
The tragedies mark what FRNSW regards as the first deaths in NSW due to a Lithium-Ion battery-related fire.
Five Incidents a Week
According to the latest FRNSW statistics, there have been 45 Lithium-Ion battery-related fires in NSW so far this year, or five incidents a week.
There were 269 such fires in this state last year at the same weekly rate.
FRNSW is reinforcing its public warnings about the dangers of such batteries when comprised, damaged or allowed to overheat.
“This appears to be what we have been fearing for a while now, a person or persons dying due to a Lithium-Ion battery-related fire in this state,” FRNSW Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell, said.
“We continue to warn the community about the potential for these batteries to explode in flames,” Commissioner Fewtrell said.
“Use extra caution when using Lithium-Ion batteries…when they go into ‘thermal runaway,’ the danger is immediate.
“These fires are extremely intense and volatile, even our firefighters find putting them out challenging because they burn so hot.
“It’s vital the public follows our safety advice around these batteries.”
- Never sleep or leave home with your Lithium-battery-powered devices charging
- Don’t leave them constantly on charge
- If Lithium batteries are damaged or compromised, dispose of them properly
- Don’t throw them out in the rubbish, they can start garbage truck or rubbish tip fires when compacted
- Contact your local, approved recycling centre for disposal advice
- Don’t leave devices charging on beds, sofas or around highly flammable materials
- Try to charge devices outside if possible
- Always buy reputable Lithium-battery brands and never ‘mix and match’ components
- Beware of cheap, substandard Lithium battery-powered devices
- Avoid dropping, crushing or piercing battery cells
- Store batteries and devices in a cool, dry area, away from combustible materials
- Install active smoke alarms in your home/garage
- Ensure you have a home evacuation plan in the event of fire
- Don’t store or charge Lithium-Ion-powered devices near exit points in your home
Stick to Recognised Brands
Substandard Lithium-ion battery-powered devices, especially e-bikes and e-scooters, are out there.
Minister for Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said last year: “Since March 2023, NSW Fair Trading has conducted inspections of 166 retailers selling electrical articles, including 39 models of e-bikes and e-scooters powered by Lithium-ion batteries. Inspectors found 30 models with non-compliant chargers and the retailers were instructed to remove them from sale.” If an e-scooter or e-bike is much cheaper than others on the market, it could be because they don’t comply.
E-scooters are not allowed on public roads and footpaths in New South Wales but they can still be used on private land (so they are permitted to be sold in NSW).
FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said: “If a battery is compromised through damage or overheating, it can go into what we call ‘Thermal Runaway. It will pop and crackle, then give off toxic gas before exploding in intense flames that are extremely difficult to extinguish.”
“If you’re buying presents that require Lithium-Ion batteries this Christmas, make sure those batteries are manufactured by a trusted company. You’d want peace of mind…if the price is too good to be true or there’s no recognised brand on the batteries, steer clear and ensure you’re shopping for a quality product.”
Tips on Storing, Disposing and Using Batteries Properly
Households are urged to safely use, store and dispose of batteries to combat the surge in house, garbage truck and waste facility fires.
FRNSW has been warning about the dangers of Lithium Batteries for a while. In February 2023, we published an article on fires in Chatswood and Epping, which involved Lithium batteries – you can read the article here.
FRNSW has a comprehensive guide to Lithium batteries and charging safely here.
For further information, visit the FRNSW website here.
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