Lithium Battery Fires Will Be Investigated by NSW Coroner

An e-bike at the scene at a fire in Bankstown, Sydney Credit: Fire and Rescue New South Wales

The Coroners Court of New South Wales (NSW) will hold an inquest into deaths and severe fires caused by lithium-ion batteries amid a spate of incidents.

The coroner’s court is already probing multiple reports of fires from lithium batteries, including some that have led to deaths.

Lithium batteries are essential components of electric vehicle batteries (EVs) and can also be found in e-scooters, e-bikes, energy storage systems, cordless vacuum cleaners and small electronics.

The coroner’s court explained it had been working with both Fire and Rescue NSW and the police to monitor the emerging issue of lithium fires.

Fires caused by lithium batteries have resulted in 876 evacuations and 26 injuries since the beginning of 2024.

State Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan said her role was to investigate sudden and unexplained deaths, fires, and explosions.

Further, her position entailed recommending changes that could stop tragic mistakes from being repeated.

“We have seen a recent trend of fires being caused by items containing lithium-ion batteries, including e-bikes and e-scooters. Sadly, these fires have resulted in lives being lost,” she said.

O'Sullivan urged residents to follow safety advice on lithium-ion batteries when buying Christmas gifts for their loved ones.

“Make sure you only buy products that comply with the Australian standard. Use an approved charger, charge while you’re at home and awake, and unplug when the battery is full,” she said.

She recommended storing lithium battery devices away from exits and sleeping areas so there is time to escape if a fire starts.

“Know the signs to look out for: if there is a strange odour, vapour, smoke, or a strange sound coming from a lithium battery-powered device, get out and call triple zero,” she said.

Incidents in NSW

More than 275 lithium battery fires have occurred in NSW in the year to date, equating to more than five per week.

Fire and Rescue NSW urges e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-skateboard owners to charge their devices safely.

“Always buy reputable lithium-ion battery brands and never ‘mix and match’ components. Beware of cheap, substandard lithium-ion battery-powered devices,” they said.

Residents should not charge such devices near highly flammable materials and recommended charging outside if possible.

While damaged or compromised lithium-ion batteries should be disposed of, they warned not to throw it in the bin, as they can start a garbage truck or rubbish tip fires when compacted.

“Contact your local, approved recycling centre for disposal advice. Store batteries and devices in a cool, dry area, away from combustible materials,” the agency said.

Finally, the fire service urged residents to ensure active smoke alarms in their homes and garages and avoid dropping, crushing, or piercing battery cells.

“Ensure you have a home evacuation plan in the event of a fire.”

‘Violent Explosions’ in Recent NSW E-Bike Battery Fire

Fire and Rescue NSW crews were called to an e-bike battery fire in Guildford in Sydney’s western suburbs in early November.

Luckily, fire crews put out the blaze before it could take hold and harm residents, and no one was injured.

“The owner, who only obtained the second-hand e-bike the day before, placed the battery into the bike shortly after 2:00 a.m. this morning, noticing a small spark soon after,” the fire service said.

“As a precaution, the owner removed the battery from the e-bike and threw it into an outside courtyard.”

The battery then caught fire, producing explosions and scattering battery cells and other debris around the yard.

In another incident, Fire and Rescue NSW found a garage totally engulfed by fire on Nov. 12, threatening a main residence in Woronora.

Investigators suspect a faulty lithium-ion battery in a charging e-scooter caused this blaze.

Five people evacuated the fire, and three were sent to hospital for smoke inhalation. One person obtained serious burns.

In September, Fire and Rescue NSW put out a garbage truck fire on the Central Coast that they suspected was caused by lithium-ion batteries.

The fire service explained that they believe the cells went into thermal runaway, which can occur when lithium-ion batteries are compromised or damaged.

“Firefighters examined the smouldering trash and discovered lithium-ion battery-powered items, including a robot vacuum cleaner, a mobile phone, and children’s toys, leading them to suspect the cells have gone into thermal runaway when compacted by the garbage truck or have at least intensified the fire,” the agency said.