Wendouree house fire caused by exploding e-scooter

Firefighters have warned about improperly handling rechargeable devices as the state’s fire services respond “almost every day” to battery fires.

Victorian firefighters are responding to lithium-ion battery fires “almost every day”, with a Ballarat house fire caused by a charging e-scooter prompting a safety warning from the state’s fire services.

Firefighters were called to a Wendouree home on January 12 after a charging electric scooter exploded in the kitchen and dining room.

Wendouree CFA Lieutenant Kenneth Mitchell said the scooter was removed from the house and the fire was contained.

“These devices can go off quite quickly and violently, so the best way to deal with them is to call triple-0 at your earliest convenience,” he said.

“A fire extinguisher can be used in the first instance too.”

Mr Mitchell said he had noticed people tended to plug too many items into power boards, causing them to overheat.

An electric scooter was the cause of a Wendouree house fire on Friday, January 12.

CFA acting assistant chief fire officer Kieran Lenehan said Victorians should only buy rechargeable devices from reputable suppliers and only use the chargers designed for that particular product.

“When lithium-ion batteries are damaged, misused or fail to meet compliance standards, they pose a serious fire risk, particularly while they are connected to chargers,” Mr Lenehan said. “We’re now seeing an increase in the uptake of e-scooters and e-bikes, power tools and general charging devices, so residents must remember to always enact the appropriate safety

measures.

“Do not overcharge electric devices, only charge them when required and the safest option is to switch them off overnight before you go to bed.

“We recommend charging them in the garage, on their own power point.”

The CFA said fire services were responding to battery fires “almost every day”.

Two residents were able to safely escape the Wendouree home once the fire there started.