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MEDFORD, Mass. (WBZNewsRadio) - State Fire Officials are out with a renewed warning over lithium-ion batteries, following two recent fires in Medford.
“Lithium-ion batteries store a tremendous amount of power,” said State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey. “When they burn, they burn extremely hot and extremely fast. A fire like this can ignite nearby combustibles, furniture, and the structure itself, just as we’ve seen in these two recent fires. It’s vitally important to use, store, and charge them according to the manufacturer’s instructions, to remain nearby when they’re charging, and to disconnect them from the power source once they’re charged.”
The most recent blaze broke out on the morning of June 3, just before 10:30 a.m. When firefighters arrived, they were met with heavy smoke and flames on the top floor of a multi-family home on Dartmouth Street. With the help of several other fire departments, the flames were back under control in about an hour and a half.
An investigation by the Medford Fire Department, Medford Police Department and State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office, found the fire began in a bedroom on the top floor of the home, where a lithium-ion battery was being charged.
"This was the second major fire to start with a lithium-ion battery in Medford in just over a month, and unfortunately we expect to see more," said Medford Fire Chief John Freedman. "These two fires alone have displaced almost a dozen people and sent three of them to the hospital. If you, a family member, or roommate have a scooter, e-bike, or other device powered by lithium-ion batteries, it's extremely important to understand the hazards involved and take the right steps to avoid them."
Officials said there are a number of safety steps the public can take regarding safely charging, storing, and using lithium-ion batteries:
- Be sure you have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home.
- Use only the original equipment manufacturer’s batteries and charging equipment. Aftermarket or generic batteries and chargers may be cheaper but are more likely to pose a burn, fire, or explosion hazard.
- Store scooters and e-bikes outdoors if possible. If you must store them indoors, keep them and their batteries clear of doors, windows, and stairways.
- Charge the battery directly from a wall outlet, not an extension cord or power strip. Place it on a hard and stable surface, not a bed, couch, or pillow.
- Charge only one battery or device at a time and unplug it when it’s fully charged. Don’t allow a charged battery to continue charging.
- If you notice changes to the battery or the device, including damage, an unusual odor, a change in color, too much heat, change in shape, leaking, smoking, or not keeping a charge, stop using it right away.
- If and when it’s time to dispose of the battery, don’t put it in the trash. Lithium-ion batteries should be recycled.
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