Officials say lithium-ion batteries sparked two recent fires
Two recent fires in Medford and New Bedford that displaced 10 people were sparked by lithium-ion batteries, which power cell phones and other consumer products, state officials said.
In Medford, two batterypowered scooters started a fouralarm fire April 30, displacing four residents, the state fire marshal’s office said Thursday.
The fire burned for more than two hours and caused significant structural damage to the two-family home on Allston Street, officials said. Investigators said that the blaze spread rapidly from the scooters in a laundry room on the first floor.
“Lithium-ion batteries contain a tremendous amount of power in a small package,” Medford Fire Chief John E. Freedman said in a statement. “When they burn, they burn extremely hot, release toxic gases, and can re-ignite even after the fire has been extinguished. It’s vitally important to use, store, and charge them safely according to the manufacturer’s instructions.”
In New Bedford, charging lithium-ion batteries sparked a fire that swept through an apartment on Wednesday, displacing six residents, officials said.
At 11:38 a.m., crews arrived to find smoke in a wood-frame apartment on Hathaway Boulevard, fire officials said. Firefighters put out the blaze in the basement of the unit, officials said. No one was injured, and the Red Cross assisted the residents who were displaced.
“Once overhaul began, crews determined they had extinguished a fire involving lithiumion batteries,” officials said. The batteries were taken to a recycling plant in secure containers, officials said. State fire officials urge residents to practice safety when using the batteries, an increasingly common cause of fires in recent years.
The number of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in Massachusetts has increased in recent years. There were 13 lithium-ion battery fires last year, compared to nine in 2018.
The batteries can start fires and release toxic gases. They also can reignite, making the fires difficult to extinguish, officials said. They’re used in many mobile devices, including cellphones, wireless headphones, electric cars, and e-scooters.
“Lithium-ion batteries are growing in use, and they power everything from pocket-sized devices to motor vehicles,” State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey said in the statement. “Choose items that are listed by a nationally recognized testing lab like Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Intertek (ETL). The lab’s mark is a sign that the device has been tested to meet certain safety requirements.” Ostroskey urges residents to store e-bikes outdoors and charge cell phones directly from a wall outlet, among other safety steps.
The state fire marshal urges residents to store e-bikes outdoors and charge cell phones directly from a wall outlet.