Lithium ion batteries have caused two major house fires resulting in significant damage in less than 24 hours after the devices they were in were left charging overnight.
The latest blaze was triggered by an e-vehicle on charge in the garage of an Applecross home in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Firefighters were called to the house on Fourth Avenue about 12.22am and crews managed to extinguish the blaze before 1am.
A Department of Fire and Emergency Services fire investigator attended the scene Thursday morning.
The lithium-ion battery was the cause of the blaze and it was deemed accidental, a DFES spokeswoman confirmed.
7a Fourth ave Applecross
1222am
Escooter or ebike lithium battery caught fire in garage causing extensive damage to house (2nd night in a row lithium battery has caused structure fire) no injuries.
Credit: night news/suppliedTwo e-bikes were charging on the balcony of a Highgate apartment block when they sparked a fire about 1.30am Wednesday morning.
Six firefighting crews rushed to the scene on the corner of Lord and Windsor streets, arriving just minutes later to find one unit engulfed in flames.
Crews managed to extinguish the fire by 1.50am but the severity of the flames left the unit “unlivable”, a DFES spokesperson said.
The 42-year-old resident was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene by St John WA paramedics.
7a Fourth ave Applecross
1222am
Escooter or ebike lithium battery caught fire in garage causing extensive damage to house (2nd night in a row lithium battery has caused structure fire) no injuries.
Credit: night news/suppliedHis injuries were not serious and he declined transportation to the hospital.
No other units in the apartment block were affected.
Incidents involving lithium-ion batteries are on the rise, as the batteries can pose a serious risk when not used, stored or disposed of correctly.
It prompted the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to issue a warning in October last year about safe use to prevent possibly deadly fires.
The report revealed the ACCC had received 231 product safety reports relating to lithium-ion batteries in the past five years and noted there had been more than 20 recalls affecting about 89,000 products on the market.
“Consumers should avoid mixing and matching chargers, unplug products when fully charged and charge batteries in a cool, dry place and away from combustible materials like beds, lounges or carpet,” ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe said.
“Check your lithium-ion batteries for overheating signs of swelling, leaking or venting gas and immediately stop using your product if these signs are present.”