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 dispatched to Pelham Crescent after receiving reports of a house engulfed in flames on Feb. 17. According to OFS spokesperson Nick DeFazio, the homeowner heard a popping sound from their garage and discovered smoke and flames upon opening the door.
Firefighters managed to control the blaze by 3:20 p.m., but it had already spread to a neighboring home, displacing its residents. OFS determined that the fire was ignited by a lithium-ion drill battery being charged on top of a fridge in the garage. This was the second such fire in Ottawa this year, with the first incident involving a dog chewing through a heated ski glove powered by a similar battery.
These events prompted OFS to issue a safety warning as lithium-ion battery fires are becoming a growing concern. OFS fire prevention officer Leanne Labbee highlighted that there have been approximately 60 fires related to lithium-ion batteries in Ottawa since 2022. Labbee emphasized the prevalence of these batteries in households and the importance of handling them with care due to their explosive nature.
Labbee advised consumers to unplug batteries once fully charged to prevent overcharging, which can lead to explosions. Signs of an impending fire include hissing, expansion, or unusual odors. Ontario’s fire marshal also cautioned against charging batteries in freezing conditions, as it may cause damage.
Lithium-ion battery fires produce significantly more carbon monoxide than fires fueled by accelerants like gasoline and are challenging to extinguish with water due to the battery’s chemical composition. Labbee compared extinguishing these fires to dealing with a trick candle that reignites when blown out.
In comparison to traditional alkaline batteries, lithium-ion batteries offer higher voltage and efficiency but are more prone to explosion due to the energy density packed into them. Yaser Abu-Lebdeh from the National Research Council Canada highlighted the batteries’ susceptibility to overheating and potential dangers when tampered with or overcharged.
Abu-Lebdeh explained that this overheating can trigger a chain reaction leading to explosions, releasing toxic gases. While safer versions of lithium-ion batteries are not yet available, research is ongoing to develop alternatives with less flammable components. Abu-Lebdeh expressed optimism about imminent breakthroughs in battery technology that could enhance safety standards in the future.