Fire and Rescue NSW has expressed concern about the rising rate of lithium-ion battery fires after crews responded to four separate incidents on Thursday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
A tradesman drove to Tingira Heights Fire Station just after 4pm after noticing a large amount of smoke in his rear vision mirror.
He stopped to inspect the toolbox and found an unattached hedger battery was on fire. He covered the flames in dirt and continued to the fire station.
Firefighters observed the dirt was bubbling. The battery had entered a phase known as 'thermal runaway' where the cell gasses off and threatens to explode.
The battery was submerged in a container of water until the danger passed.
An hour later, nine fire trucks rushed to Apprentice Drive, Berkeley Vale when an electric vehicle charging station caught alight.
Crews established a defensive perimeter around the business, fearing multiple lithium-ion truck batteries were at risk of catching fire.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze without further incident.
Earlier, a fire broke out in the rear of a garbage truck travelling along Derby Street, Silverwater in Sydney's west.
The driver stopped the truck and tipped the burning rubbish onto the roadway.
Fire crews found one battery amongst about 150 lithium-ion cells had entered 'thermal runaway' and was on fire.
The battery was submerged in water, preventing a chain reaction.
In a fourth lithium-ion battery-related blaze, an e-bike caught fire on the third floor of a 10-storey apartment block at Bankstown, in Sydney's south-west.
Residents were evacuated from the French Avenue address around 6.30am as four trucks responded to the scene.
Sprinklers were activated and suppressed the flames.
The fire crews extinguished the fire and ventilated the building.
Fire and Rescue NSW has recorded 63 lithium-ion battery fires to date in 2024.
Seven people have been injured in the fires.
There were 272 lithium-ion battery-related fires in 2023, at a rate of 5.2 a week.
Thirty eight people were injured last year.
FRNSW is reinforcing its public messages to households and businesses to use extra caution around Lithium-Ion batteries and related devices.
It warns people:
- 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 or business.
For further information, visit the FRNSW website: https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=9392
Matthew Kelly
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
