A Southern Tasmanian family is urging people to be more aware of the dangers posed by lithium-ion batteries after an e-bike battery exploded in their backyard.
Electrona resident Sarra Gee said her son had recently purchased the electric bike from a neighbourhood friend and assembled it using a kit from eBay.
Speaking to Pulse, she said that she had just been cautioning her children about the importance of handling lithium-ion batteries carefully following a recent scare involving a family member in Queensland.
Then, on Tuesday night, Gee heard a hissing noise outside her bedroom.
“I knew exactly what was about to happen,” she told Pulse, before the e-bike exploded, sending sparks and flames shooting out like a firework.
“My friend put up a table to try and shield himself so he could pull it away from the wall so the house didn’t catch on fire.”
Sarra said that at the time of the incident, the e-bike was not charging or plugged in, a common cause of lithium-ion-related fires.
“If we weren’t home, the house would have caught on fire. It would have burnt the house down,” she said.
Fortunately, the only casualties were some plants, the bike itself and some burn marks on the deck.
While they’re popular for their high energy density and rechargeability, lithium-ion batteries can pose significant dangers.
Acting Director of Community Fire Safety at the Tasmania Fire Service Chris Collins said batteries can overheat and catch fire or explode if damaged, improperly charged or exposed to high temperatures.
He said people should carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using and charging devices using lithium-ion batteries.
“Avoid charging batteries overnight or leaving unattended while charging and once fully charged, disconnect from the charger,” he said.
“If the appliance or battery is smoking or flaming, you should immediately call 000.”
“Don’t touch a damaged battery. Raise the alert and ensure everyone evacuates to a safe area. Close doors to slow the spread of fire.”
