Brisbane fire: Lithium battery reportedly behind fire that destroyed Coorparoo home

A two-storey home in Brisbane’s southeast owned by the same family for 70 years was destroyed in a fire suspected of being started by an e-scooter battery.

Relatives of the owners of a home destroyed in a fierce blaze suspected of being started by a lithium battery say the property had been in the family for 70 years.

Fire broke out at the two-storey Sirius St home in Coorparoo about 6.45pm Friday, spreading to two vehicles and triggering warnings over toxic smoke.

Extensive fire damage to the Coorparoo home. Picture: Richard Walker

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services had the fire under control by 9.15pm but the home couldn’t be saved. The fire was extinguished by 12.45am.

A person who was living at the property at the time of the fire, confirmed it was a freak accident involving an e-scooter battery.

The home had been owned by the same family for 70 years. Picture: Richard Walker

A QFES spokesman said crews were only able to attack the fire externally due to a roof collapse and structural damage.

No one was injured in the blaze.

QFES fire investigator Craig Jones said he could not confirm whether the blaze was caused by a lithium battery but confirmed the air was now safe.

The home on fire on Sirius St, Coorparoo.

“There shouldn’t be any concern for the neighbourhood now. We had scientific officers here conducting sampling around the streets overnight and they’ve cleared it all,” he said.

Mr Jones said this should serve as a warning for those with lithium batteries in their homes.

“With unregulated imports and scooters and batteries not of the greatest quality, and we have people tinkering around with them, people buying them second-hand, using incompatible chargers,” he said.

“That’s certainly not evidence of the case here but it all adds up to a pretty significant risk.

“We’ve been spruiking this for a long time now about the dangers of lithium batteries, particularly mobility devices. They shouldn’t be charged inside the house or overnight if possible and should be monitored very carefully.”

The scene of the fire on Sirius St, Coorparoo. Picture: Isabella Pesch

An exclusion zone was established during the fire due to fears of toxic smoke, with residents on Sirius Street and surrounding areas to shut windows and remain inside with respiratory medicine close by.

A neighbour said they heard a loud bang just after 6.30pm when they were cooking.

“I just thought maybe it was something to do with Australia Day but it was just the one bang,” he said.

The neighbour said it was typically a very “quiet street.”

Neighbour Lorelai Geldard first saw the fire driving along Orion Street with her boyfriend and his family.

“We stopped the car and saw the owner in tears and shock … we jumped out of the car to ask the owner if they were okay,” Ms Geldard said.

“The owner explained they were having dinner … then she heard a sizzle and then a pop before her (electric vehicle) caught on fire.

“It was just so hard to see (the fire) happen … I wouldn’t wish that upon anyone.

“It was just a big shock to everyone.”

Thick smoke blanketed the area during the blaze. Picture: Isabella Pesch

Mali Ravi said she and her partner Div Arun were “confused” when they were rushed inside to avoid the toxic smoke.

“We got back from dinner around 8.30pm and the street was just filled with cop cars,” Ms Ravi said.

Ravi said they were told to stay inside.

“It was weird because we couldn’t see the actual flames,” she said.

Mr Arun said they felt “clueless.”

Investigators will return to the scene in the morning to determine the cause of the blaze.