Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) is advising residents against overcharging lithium-ion batteries following a recent incident that resulted in the destruction of two homes in Richmond. Emergency crews were called to Pelham Crescent in response to reports of a house on fire just before 2 p.m. on Feb. 17. According to OFS spokesperson Nick DeFazio, the homeowner heard a popping noise from the garage before discovering smoke and flames upon opening the door. Firefighters managed to contain the blaze by 3:20 p.m., but not before it spread to a neighboring house, displacing its residents.
A lithium-ion drill battery left charging on top of a refrigerator in the garage was identified as the cause of the fire, marking the second such incident in Ottawa this year. The first occurred in January when a dog chewed through a heated ski glove powered by a similar battery. These occurrences have prompted OFS to issue a safety advisory as concerns over battery-related fires grow.
OFS fire prevention officer Leanne Labbee highlighted that there have been around 60 fires involving lithium-ion batteries in Ottawa since 2022. Labbee emphasized the prevalence of these batteries in households, powering a wide range of devices from laptops to electric toothbrushes. Despite their ubiquity, users are urged to handle them with caution due to their volatile nature.
Overcharging lithium-ion batteries can lead to explosions, as emphasized by OFS. Signs indicating potential danger include hissing, expansion, or unusual odors emanating from the battery. Furthermore, it is advised not to charge batteries in freezing conditions, such as in a garage, to prevent damage.
Labbee also pointed out that lithium-ion battery fires produce significantly more carbon monoxide than fires fueled by gasoline, making them harder to extinguish. Due to the battery’s chemical composition, the fire must burn through all its cells to self-extinguish, likening it to a trick birthday candle that reignites when blown out.
Lithium-ion batteries, known for their higher voltage compared to traditional alkaline batteries, offer enhanced efficiency but are also more prone to explosion due to the energy density they contain. Yaser Abu-Lebdeh, a leader in battery materials innovation at the National Research Council Canada, highlighted the risks associated with tampering or overcharging these batteries, leading to thermal runaway and potential fire hazards. While safer versions of lithium-ion batteries are in development, alternatives with less flammable components are being explored to mitigate risks.