In the span of just ten days, from July 11th to July 20th, 2024, multiple incidents involving lithium-ion batteries have highlighted the significant fire risks associated with these commonly used power sources. From house fires to explosions in recycling centers, the dangers of mishandling lithium-ion batteries have become increasingly apparent. This blog post reviews recent incidents, examines the hazards, and underscores the importance of fire prevention and community risk reduction strategies.
Recent Incidents Involving Lithium-Ion Battery Fires
Flat fire in Hammersmith
Location:Â Hammersmith, London
Summary:Â On July 10, 2024, a fire caused by a lithium-ion battery in a flat bedroom was quickly contained by the London Fire Brigade. The flat sustained significant smoke damage, but no injuries were reported (London Fire Brigade, 2024).
Link:Â Flat fire in Hammersmith
Central Arizona Firefighters Tended To A Fire Started By A Lithium-Ion Battery Failure
Location:Â Prescott Valley, Arizona
Summary:Â On July 11, 2024, a house fire in Prescott Valley was caused by a lithium-ion battery failure in an electric skateboard. The homeowner extinguished the fire with a garden hose. No injuries were reported (KAFF News, 2024).
Link:Â Central Arizona Firefighters Tended To A Fire Started By A Lithium-Ion Battery Failure
Batteries, Chargers Believed to be Cause of Fire at B&S Repair
Location:Â Alliance, Nebraska
Summary:Â On July 17, 2024, a fire at B&S Repair was believed to be caused by lithium-ion battery chargers. The fire resulted in extensive smoke damage, but no injuries were reported (Alliance Times-Herald, 2024).
Link:Â Batteries, Chargers Believed to be Cause of Fire at B&S Repair
CCTV captures Stoke-on-Trent recycling centre 'explosion'
Location:Â Stoke-on-Trent, England
Summary:Â On July 10, 2024, a lithium-ion battery exploded in a waste shredder at Brown Recycling, causing a significant fire. The blaze was contained without any injuries (Stoke-on-Trent Live, 2024).
Link:Â CCTV captures Stoke-on-Trent recycling centre 'explosion'
A fiery warning not to put rechargeable batteries in curbside recycling
Location:Â Appleton, Wisconsin
Summary:Â On July 16, 2024, a fire at the Outagamie County recycling facility was caused by lithium-ion batteries improperly disposed of in curbside recycling. The fire was contained to a metal bin (WBAY News, 2024).
Link:Â A fiery warning not to put rechargeable batteries in curbside recycling
Whitman Fire Department Extinguishes Lithium-Ion Phone Battery Fire Over the Weekend
Location:Â Whitman, Massachusetts
Summary:Â On July 12, 2024, a fire caused by a lithium-ion phone battery at a multiple-occupant house was quickly extinguished by a facilities manager with a fire extinguisher. The fire was contained to one room, and no injuries were reported (JGPR, 2024).
Link:Â Whitman Fire Department Extinguishes Lithium-Ion Phone Battery Fire
SJCFR: Two-alarm fire at St. Augustine home injures firefighter
Location:Â St. Augustine, Florida
Summary:Â On July 19, 2024, a two-alarm fire caused by a charging golf cart with a lithium battery heavily damaged a home. One firefighter sustained minor injuries. The fire was controlled with an exterior attack and subsequent interior operations (First Coast News, 2024).
Link:Â Two-alarm fire at St. Augustine home injures firefighter
Sprinklers minimize damage from weekend commercial fires in Newark, New Castle area
Location:Â Newark and New Castle, Delaware
Summary:Â On the weekend of July 13-14, 2024, fires involving lithium-ion batteries broke out in two commercial buildings. The sprinkler systems activated and minimized the damage before firefighters arrived (Delaware Business Now, 2024).
Link:Â Sprinklers minimize damage from weekend commercial fires
Seven people taken to hospital after bike battery explosion in Malmö apartment
Location: Malmö, Sweden
Summary:Â On July 15, 2024, a lithium-ion battery in an electric bike exploded, causing a fire in an apartment. Seven residents were hospitalized for smoke inhalation and other injuries (The Local Sweden, 2024).
Link: Seven people taken to hospital after bike battery explosion in Malmö apartment
Scooter's Lithium-Ion Battery Prompts Hazmat Response At Somers Home
Location:Â Somers, New York
Summary:Â On July 8, 2024, an electric scooter's lithium-ion battery caused a flash fire in a home's garage. The fire was controlled, and one resident was evaluated for exposure to toxic fumes (Somers Daily Voice, 2024).
Link:Â Scooter's Lithium-Ion Battery Prompts Hazmat Response At Somers Home
Quick Response by CAFMA Firefighters Extinguishes Lithium-Ion Battery Fire in Prescott Valley
Location:Â Prescott Valley, Arizona
Summary:Â On July 19, 2024, a fire caused by a lithium-ion battery failure in a garage was quickly extinguished by CAFMA firefighters. The homeowner had unplugged a charging scooter after noticing the charger getting hot (Prescott eNews, 2024).
Link:Â Quick Response by CAFMA Firefighters Extinguishes Lithium-Ion Battery Fire in Prescott Valley
Pflugerville house fire possibly caused by electric scooter, fire department says
Location:Â Pflugerville, Texas
Summary:Â On July 16, 2024, a house fire possibly caused by an electric scooter's lithium-ion battery caused significant damage. Firefighters managed to control and extinguish the blaze before it spread further (CBS Austin, 2024).
Link:Â Pflugerville house fire possibly caused by electric scooter
Laptop battery fire on American Airlines flight prompts evacuation at San Francisco International Airport; 3 injured
Location:Â San Francisco International Airport, California
Summary:Â On July 12, 2024, an American Airlines flight was evacuated after a laptop battery caught fire. The incident caused smoke in the cabin, and three people sustained minor injuries during the evacuation (ABC7 News, 2024).
Home battery backup explodes in Sausalito house
Location:Â Sausalito, California
Summary:Â On July 13, 2024, a home battery backup system exploded, causing significant damage to a house. Firefighters quickly controlled and extinguished the fire. No injuries were reported (Marin Independent Journal, 2024).
Understanding the Hazards of Lithium-Ion Batteries
What are Lithium-Ion Batteries? Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in various devices, from smartphones and laptops to electric vehicles and e-bikes. These batteries store a large amount of energy in a compact size, making them efficient but also potentially hazardous if not handled correctly.
Why Do Lithium-Ion Batteries Catch Fire? The primary risk associated with lithium-ion batteries is thermal runaway, a process where a fault within the battery causes it to self-heat and eventually catch fire (Underwriters Laboratories, 2023). This can be triggered by physical damage, overcharging, exposure to extreme temperatures, or internal short-circuits.
How to Prevent Lithium-Ion Battery Fires Prevention is the key to safety when it comes to lithium-ion batteries. Here are some essential safety tips:
Purchase Certified Products:Â Always buy devices that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory (National Fire Protection Association, 2022).
Follow Manufacturer Instructions:Â Use the battery and charger designed for your device (National Fire Protection Association, 2022).
Proper Storage:Â Keep batteries at room temperature and away from anything that can catch fire (Underwriters Laboratories, 2023).
Dispose of Batteries Properly:Â Do not throw lithium-ion batteries in the trash. Take them to a designated recycling center (Underwriters Laboratories, 2023).
Where to Charge Safely Charge your devices in a flat, dry area away from children, direct sunlight, and flammable materials. Avoid charging devices on soft surfaces like beds or couches, and never charge larger devices like e-bikes inside your home (National Fire Protection Association, 2022).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What should I do if my lithium-ion battery shows signs of damage? A: If you notice signs such as odor, change in color, excessive heat, or leaking, stop using the battery immediately and move it away from anything flammable. Contact your local recycling center for proper disposal (Underwriters Laboratories, 2023).
Q: How can I safely dispose of lithium-ion batteries? A: Take your batteries to a dedicated recycling location or contact your community for disposal instructions. Never discard them in regular trash bins (Underwriters Laboratories, 2023).
How are you ensuring the safe use and disposal of lithium-ion batteries in your home or workplace? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!
The incidents over the past week highlight the need for increased awareness and proactive measures in handling lithium-ion batteries. By understanding the risks and following recommended safety practices, we can significantly reduce the occurrence of battery-related fires. Fire prevention and community risk reduction are collective responsibilities, and staying informed is the first step towards a safer environment.
References
Phan, S. (2024) ABC7 News. Laptop battery fire on American Airlines flight prompts evacuation at San Francisco International Airport; 3 injured. Retrieved from https://abc7news.com/post/american-airlines-plane-cabin-fire-san-francisco/15054522/
Friedrichsen, S. (2024) Alliance Times-Herald. Batteries, chargers believed to be cause of fire at B&S Repair. Retrieved from https://alliancetimes.com/batteries-chargers-believed-to-be-cause-of-fire-at-bs-repair/
Brolley, T. (2024) CBS Austin. Pflugerville house fire possibly caused by electric scooter, fire department says. Retrieved fromhttps://cbsaustin.com/news/local/pflugerville-house-fire-possibly-caused-by-electric-scooter-fire-department-says
Delaware Business Now. (2024). Sprinklers minimize damage from weekend commercial fires. Retrieved from https://www.delawarebusinessnow.com/news/new_castle_county/sprinklers-minimize-damage-from-weekend-commercial-fires-in-newark-new-castle-area/article_553fb674-4311-11ef-8a95-6b0ffe65f1d6.html
Harvey, M (2024) First Coast News. Two-alarm fire at St. Augustine home injures firefighter. Retrieved from https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/sjcfr-firefighter-injured-after-attacking-two-alarm-fire-at-home-in-st-augustine/77-aeb11871-e9ad-46b6-aec4-8bf1da18d1e9
Sammut, H. (2024) JGPR. Whitman Fire Department extinguishes lithium-ion phone battery fire over the weekend. Retrieved from https://jgpr.net/2024/07/15/whitman-fire-department-extinguishes-lithium-ion-phone-battery-fire-over-the-weekend/
Zorn, D. (2024) KAFF News. Central Arizona firefighters tended to a fire started by a lithium-ion battery failure. Retrieved from https://gcmaz.com/kaff-news/kaff_news/central-arizona-firefighters-tended-to-a-fire-started-by-an-lithium-ion-battery/
London Fire Brigade. (2024). Flat fire in Hammersmith. Retrieved from https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/incidents/2024/july/flat-fire-hammersmith/
MacDonald, C. (2024) Marin Independent Journal. Home battery backup explodes in Sausalito house. Retrieved from https://www.marinij.com/2024/07/16/home-battery-backup-explodes-in-sausalito-house/
National Fire Protection Association. (2022). Lithium-Ion Battery Safety. Retrieved from https://www.nfpa.org/education
Prescott eNews. (2024). Quick response by CAFMA firefighters extinguishes lithium-ion battery fire in Prescott Valley. Retrieved from https://prescottenews.com/2024/07/20/quick-response-by-cafma-firefighters-extinguishes-lithium-ion-battery-fire-in-prescott-valley/
Crnic, B. (2024) Somers Daily Voice. Scooter's lithium-ion battery prompts hazmat response at Somers home. Retrieved from https://dailyvoice.com/new-york/somers/scooters-lithium-ion-battery-prompts-hazmat-response-at-somers-home/
Knapper, D. (2024) Stoke-on-Trent Live. CCTV captures Stoke-on-Trent recycling centre 'explosion'. Retrieved from https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/gallery/cctv-captures-stoke-trent-recycling-9406056
Waterton, B. (2024). The Local Sweden. Seven people taken to hospital after bike battery explosion in Malmö apartment. Retrieved from https://www.thelocal.se/20240715/seven-people-taken-to-hospital-after-bike-battery-explosion-in-malmo-apartment
Underwriters Laboratories. (2023). Take charge of battery safety fact sheet. Retrieved from https://batteryfiresafety.org
Morales, A. (2024) WBAY News. A fiery warning not to put rechargeable batteries in curbside recycling. Retrieved from https://www.wbay.com/2024/07/16/fiery-warning-not-put-rechargeable-batteries-curbside-recycling/
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