Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) is cautioning residents against overcharging lithium-ion batteries following a recent incident that resulted in the destruction of two homes in Richmond. On Feb. 17, emergency crews were called to Pelham Crescent where a house was engulfed in flames. The homeowner had heard a popping sound from the garage before discovering smoke and flames along the wall. The fire spread to a neighboring home, displacing its residents. OFS determined that the fire was caused by a lithium-ion drill battery charging on top of a fridge in the garage.
This was the second fire in Ottawa linked to lithium-ion batteries this year. Previously, a fire was sparked in January when a dog chewed through a ski glove heated by a similar battery. Consequently, OFS issued a safety warning regarding the increasing concern of battery fires.
OFS fire prevention officer Leanne Labbee highlighted that Ottawa has seen around 60 fires involving lithium-ion batteries since 2022, emphasizing their prevalent use in modern households. Labbee showcased various household items powered by lithium-ion batteries to underscore their ubiquity and importance.
While these batteries are common, their explosive nature requires careful handling. Overcharging can lead to explosions, with warning signs including hissing, expanding, or unusual odors. Ontario’s fire marshal advised against charging batteries in freezing conditions to prevent damage.
Labbee cautioned that lithium-ion battery fires produce significantly more carbon monoxide than fires fueled by gasoline and are harder to extinguish due to their chemical composition. She likened them to trick birthday candles that reignite when blown out.
Unlike traditional alkaline batteries, lithium-ion batteries offer higher voltage and energy density, making them more efficient but also more prone to explosion. Yaser Abu-Lebdeh from the National Research Council Canada explained the risks associated with tampering or overcharging lithium-ion batteries, emphasizing the need for safer alternatives currently in development.
While safer versions of these batteries are not yet available, ongoing research aims to create alternatives with less flammable components for commercialization in the near future.