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Coroners Court to launch inquest into lithium-ion battery fires

December 05, 2024
Updated 1 hour ago

The NSW Coroners’ Court will hold an inquest to look into deaths and serious fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, amid fears such batteries could cause around five fires a week in NSW South.

State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan said: “My role as State Coroner is to investigate sudden and unexplained deaths, fires and explosions and to recommend changes that could prevent Tragic mistakes never happen again. »

Lithium batteries are used in a variety of items including electric bicycles and scooters, electric cars, cordless vacuum cleaners, energy storage systems, and small electronic devices such as electric toothbrushes, electric shavers and vapes. Their prevalence means many users store charging items around the house, plugged into outlets while they sleep.

The Coroners Court is currently investigating several reports of fires involving lithium batteries, some of which have unfortunately resulted in fatalities. We are working with Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW Police to monitor this emerging issue. One of the coroner’s key roles is to examine unnatural and unexpected deaths, as well as fires and explosions that cause serious injury or property damage. A coroner can make recommendations on any practices, policies or laws that could be changed to prevent future tragedies.

This investigation into lithium battery fires will examine whether changes can be made to stop similar deaths, fires or explosions in the future. Since the start of the year, there have been more than 275 lithium-ion battery fires in NSW, a number that is increasing year on year. This represents an average of five fires per week. According to initial investigations by Fire and Rescue NSW, these fires are mainly caused by e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards and small household items.

During a November campaign launching national safety standards, Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib warned that “lithium-ion batteries are an important part of the transition to alternative energy and technologies. But we need to be aware of the safety risks and how to use these batteries safely so that consumers can enjoy the holiday season without an emergency visit…”

The warning comes amid fears that devices powered by inferior lithium-ion batteries could flood the market during the pre-Christmas sales, ahead of new regulations coming into force next year – the suppliers offloading items that would otherwise be prohibited.

Since the start of this year, fires caused by lithium-ion batteries have injured 26 people and led to 876 evacuations in New South Wales.

The November campaign calls on residents to be careful when buying, charging and recycling lithium-ion batteries, unveiling a new consumer warning video and a central website people can visit when searching information on lithium-ion products.

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has developed a video to demonstrate how “thermal runaway” can occur, featuring power tool batteries catching fire in a living room.

Teresa O’Sullivan, NSW Coroner, said: “Make sure you only buy products that meet the Australian Standard. Use an approved charger, charge when you are home and awake, and unplug when the battery is full. Store lithium battery devices away from exits and sleeping areas so you have time to escape if a fire breaks out. Know the signs to watch for: If there is a strange smell, vapor, smoke or sound coming from a lithium battery-powered device, go outside and call triple zero.