Rise In The Number Of Lithium-Ion Battery Fires: Fire And Rescue NSW

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) investigators confirmed that a fire at Auburn, in Sydney’s inner west, was sparked by a faulty Lithium-ion battery.

Residents of a home on Station Road had a lucky escape when an e-bike battery caught fire on September 23. Firefighters ventilated the house and the battery was placed in a container of water to prevent re-ignition.

A lithium-ion battery was also the suspected cause of a major house fire at Merrylands, in Sydney’s west on August 28. The house on Murray Street was engulfed in flames just before 2 pm, which they suspect was triggered by a faulty lithium-ion battery.

Amidst the chaos, six fire trucks and more than 24 firefighters focused their efforts on battling the rapid blaze for 90 harrowing minutes, working tirelessly to protect the community. Fortunately, no one was injured, though the house sustained significant damage.

Investigation Findings

While conducting an extensive search, the FRNSW’s Fire Investigation and Research Unit (FIRU) located a large stockpile of lithium-ion batteries and e-bikes kept on site.

Investigators suspect the property housed an e-bike spare parts business. Evidence has led investigators to believe that a malfunctioning battery went into ‘thermal runaway’ – a dangerous process where an overheated cell causes a chain reaction, ultimately breaking out into a burst of flames.

These incidents are occurring more frequently, as FRNSW has recorded an alarming 185 lithium-ion battery fires in the first seven months of 2024, at a rate of more than six blazes per week  This has increased from 163 fires over the same period in 2023.

“Lithium-ion batteries are the fastest growing fire risk in New South Wales,” FRNSW says on its website.

FRNSW has urged households and businesses not to throw Lithium-Ion batteries out in the rubbish. “Thermal runaway can occur when Lithium-Ion batteries are compromised or damaged. When the cells overheat they can set off a chain reaction, releasing toxic gases before exploding in flames,” FRNSW says.

Safety Guidelines for Handling Lithium-ion Batteries

With cases continuing to rise, Fire and Rescue NSW has issued a set of guidelines to ensure Australians understand how to handle lithium-ion powered battery devices properly to avoid fire breakouts. These include:

• Avoid charging lithium-battery-powered devices while asleep or unattended.
• Do not leave devices on constant charge.
• Dispose of damaged or compromised lithium batteries properly through approved recycling centres.
• Never discard batteries in regular rubbish or trash.
• Do not charge devices on beds, sofas, or near highly flammable materials.
• Charge devices outside when possible.
• Always buy reputable lithium-battery brands and avoid mixing components.
• Avoid careless practices with battery cells, e.g., dropping, crushing, or piercing.
• Store batteries and devices in a cool, dry area.
• Install working smoke alarms.
• Ensure you have a reliable home evacuation plan.

For further details on safety practices and fire prevention, visit the website for more information on lithium-ion battery safety.