Man Injured After E-bike Explosion Prompts Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Alert
Fire and Rescue New South Wales (NSW) is advising against leaving lithium-ion batteries on charge once they have reached capacity and not charging batteries near exits from buildings.
Fire and Rescue NSW is reiterating the dangers of lithium-ion batteries following a recent e-bike fire incident in Bankstown, Sydney.
The incident took place on the third floor of a 10-storey building on French Avenue on March 14.
Emergency services treated a 30-year-old man on the scene, who was later taken to the hospital for further treatment.
According to officials, the fire was caused by an e-bike that was plugged in and charging at the time. Four individuals were inside the building during the incident.
Warning About Thermal Runaway
Acting Superintendent Mathew Sigmund highlighted the risk of thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries and urged the public not to leave batteries charging unattended.
“Lithium-ion batteries that are compromised can go into a process known as thermal runaway, which can create toxic and flammable vapours, triggering an explosion or an otherwise life-threatening situation for those nearby,” Mr. Sigmund stated.
Firefighters recommend avoiding leaving lithium-ion batteries on charge once they are fully charged, not charging batteries near exits, on combustible surfaces, or while people are asleep.
