One crew attended the incident, which occurred on January 12 in Church Green, Shoreham-, and was caused by a lithium-ion battery from an e-bike conversion kit.
West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said the battery had gone into thermal runaway, a process whereby a battery short-circuits and begins to heat up uncontrollably.
Crew commander Mike Wattam said: “E-bike conversion kits are becoming increasingly popular, but they pose a serious fire risk when incompatible batteries and chargers are used.
“Electronic devices, batteries, and chargers should only be purchased from reputable retailers to ensure they meet UK product safety standards.”
On arrival, firefighters submerged the battery in water to cool it and used a thermal imaging camera to monitor its temperature.
Conversion kits allow people to add an electric motor to a standard bicycle.
They often require a battery and charger to be purchased separately which may not be compatible, and therefore increase the risk of a fire.
Darren Wickings, station manager and chair of the lithium-ion group LIBERATE, urged the public not to attempt DIY conversions.
Mr Wickings said: “E-bike conversions should only be carried out by a professional.
“Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and do not attempt to modify or tamper with the battery, charger, or motor yourself.
“Always use the correct charger to charge your batteries.
“Charge them on a flat, solid, and stable surface and don’t leave them charging while unattended or overnight.”
He also stressed the importance of working smoke alarms in areas where batteries are charged and warned against charging in areas that would block escape routes.
The LIBERATE group promotes best practices and raises awareness about the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries.
It includes 220 members from organisations such as fire and rescue services and waste management companies.
Source link
[Featured]
[Just In]
