Keep killer battery safe warning
A blaze broke out in the garage of a home in Hector Street at Bass Hill around 11.15am on Saturday, after 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.
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.
“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.”
