Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) is cautioning residents against overcharging lithium-ion batteries following a recent incident that resulted in the destruction of two homes in Richmond. Emergency crews were dispatched to Pelham Crescent after reports of a house engulfed in flames just before 2 p.m. on Feb. 17. Prior to their arrival, the homeowner heard a popping noise emanating from their garage. Upon investigating, they discovered smoke and flames along the wall.
Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control by approximately 3:20 p.m., but not before it spread to a neighboring property, displacing its residents. OFS later determined that the fire had originated from a lithium-ion drill battery that was charging on top of a fridge in the garage. This incident marked the second fire in Ottawa caused by such a battery this year, with the first occurring in January when a dog chewed through a ski glove heated by a similar battery.
In response to these events, OFS issued a safety advisory due to the increasing concern surrounding battery-related fires. 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 ubiquity of lithium-ion batteries in households today, powering various devices from laptops to electric toothbrushes.
Despite their widespread use, lithium-ion batteries contain volatile components, necessitating careful handling by consumers. OFS stressed the importance of promptly unplugging fully charged batteries to prevent overcharging, which can lead to explosions. Signs that a battery may be hazardous include hissing, expansion, or unusual odors. The fire marshal of Ontario cautioned against charging batteries below freezing temperatures, as this can cause damage.
Labbee warned that lithium-ion battery fires produce significantly more carbon monoxide than fires fueled by gasoline, making them challenging to extinguish with water due to their chemical composition. She likened extinguishing such fires to blowing out a trick birthday candle that reignites when extinguished. Unlike traditional alkaline batteries, lithium-ion batteries possess a higher voltage, making them more efficient but also more prone to explosion.
Yaser Abu-Lebdeh, leading the battery materials innovation team at National Research Council Canada, explained that tampering with or overcharging lithium-ion batteries can cause them to heat up, release toxic gases, and potentially catch fire and explode due to a self-fuelling chain reaction known as “thermal runway.” While safer versions of lithium-ion batteries are not yet available, alternatives with less flammable components are currently under development and nearing commercialization.