This “horrifying” video captures the moment an electric motorcycle battery made of lithium ion material detonated, starting a house fire that required hospitalization for five persons.
A resident in Illingworth, Halifax, is seen in the video hurrying downstairs in the middle of the night after hearing popping noises.
A few seconds later, the battery blows up, igniting the living room and causing the home to catch fire.
Following the blaze, which started on February 24 at around 1am, five people who were present in the building at the time were brought to the hospital.
All of them got smoke inhalation, and one additionally had mouth and windpipe burns.
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) has now warned people of the dangers of lithium batteries and urged them not to leave them charging unattended.
Watch manager John Cavalier said: ‘While fires involving lithium batteries are common, having a video showing the violence of the fire’s development is not.
‘It’s clear to see in the video that the fire is absolutely horrifying – none of us would want this to happen in our homes.’
He said the popping sound indicated the e-motorbike batteries were failing due to ‘thermal runway’ – when too much heat is generated within a battery.
WM Cavalier went on: ‘Because lithium batteries can be found in a range of items, we frequently attend fires involving them. They can be found in cars, bikes, scooters, laptops, phones, and e-cigarettes, amongst many other items.
‘Any other type of fire we deal with has usually developed slowly, and people are able to get out quickly. However, battery fires are so ferocious and spread so quickly that there isn’t as much time to escape.
‘To help keep everyone in your family safe, don’t leave lithium batteries to charge unattended, don’t put them in the way of exits or in hallways and unplug chargers when the batteries are at full capacity.
‘I’d like to thank the owner of the house who gave us permission to use the video – it clearly shows the dangers associated with lithium batteries and could help to save lives in West Yorkshire.’
WYFRS’s lithium battery safety advice
- Always use the correct and branded charger for the battery.
- Buy the correct and branded replacement battery for the device.
- Do not use batteries with damaged casings, or casings that may be damaged.
- Do not use batteries that appear swollen or appear to have deformed in any way.
- Avoid storing, using, or charging batteries at very high or low temperatures.
- Don’t leave batteries continuously on charge. Once the charging cycle is complete, remove the battery from the charger.
- Charge batteries away from combustible items and preferably where they can be monitored.
- Never cover chargers or charging devices, for example a laptop and/or its power pack on or under bedding.
- When travelling by air, lithium batteries must be carried in your hand luggage.
- Don’t leave batteries unattended or charge them anywhere that blocks your exits.