In a recent incident that led to the destruction of two homes in Richmond, Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) is cautioning residents against overcharging lithium-ion batteries. The fire, which engulfed a house on Pelham Crescent before 2 p.m. on Feb. 17, prompted emergency responders to the scene following reports of flames.
As recounted by OFS spokesperson Nick DeFazio, the homeowner noticed a popping sound emanating from their garage before discovering smoke and flames along the wall upon opening the garage’s main door. Firefighters managed to contain the blaze by approximately 3:20 p.m., but not before it spread to a neighboring residence, displacing its occupants.
Following an investigation, OFS determined that the fire originated from a lithium-ion drill battery that was charging on top of a fridge in the garage. This incident, along with a similar one in January involving a heated ski glove chewed by a dog, prompted OFS to issue a safety advisory due to the increasing occurrence of battery-related fires.
OFS fire prevention officer Leanne Labbee highlighted the prevalence of lithium-ion batteries in households, citing at least 60 fires involving such batteries in Ottawa since 2022. Labbee emphasized the ubiquity of these batteries in powering various devices and showcased a collection of items in her home reliant on lithium-ion batteries, ranging from laptops to electric toothbrushes.
Despite their widespread use, the explosive nature of lithium-ion batteries mandates careful handling by consumers. OFS recommends promptly unplugging fully charged batteries to prevent overcharging, as signs such as hissing, expansion, or unusual odors may indicate an imminent explosion risk.
Furthermore, Ontario’s fire marshal cautioned against charging batteries below freezing temperatures, as this can lead to damage. Labbee noted that lithium-ion battery fires emit significantly more carbon monoxide than fires fueled by accelerants like gasoline, attributing the difficulty in extinguishing these fires to the battery’s chemical composition.
Yaser Abu-Lebdeh, from the battery materials innovation team at National Research Council Canada, highlighted the susceptibility of lithium-ion batteries to overheating and tampering, leading to the release of toxic gases and potential explosions. Abu-Lebdeh underscored the ongoing development of alternatives with less flammable components as a means to mitigate safety risks associated with lithium-ion batteries.
Despite the inherent risks posed by lithium-ion batteries, advancements in battery technology are continuously being pursued to enhance safety standards and reduce the likelihood of battery-related incidents.