Firefighters issue fresh warnings after e-bike battery destroys Crawley home
They also pose fire risks in buildings outside of the home
West Sussex & Surrey Fire & Rescue Services (WSSFRS) are warning about the dangers of leaving e-bike and e-scooter batteries charging after a fire destroyed a home in Crawley.
The lithium-ion battery, which was on charge in the living room, caused a blaze on June 17th, and sadly, a cat died.
A person was treated by paramedics for burns and smoke inhalation after the fire in Charlock Close, as well as four dogs being rescued by fire crews.
Now, fresh warnings are being made about the dangers of the batteries, including never to leave them charging in an area such as a hallway, which could later block your escape.
Prevention Watch Commander Richard Poole, from WSSFRS, said: "Fires that involve lithium-ion batteries, they not only escalate rapidly, but they produce such intense heat and toxic smoke. Very, very nasty gases come out of it, hydrogen, hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, and if people are restricting their exit routes, we don't want people being stuck in that building and unable to get out.
"So never restrict your exit routes and always make sure you're doing everything you can to be as safe as possible."
The fire was contained to the one property, however its neighbours suffered smoke damage to their homes too.
Lithium-ion batteries can be found in many devices that can be recharged, including e-bikes, vapes and mobile phones. If they get over-charged, short-circuited, submerged in water, or damaged, they can pose a huge fire safety risk.
The advice remains to not leave them charging overnight, to make sure all unnecessary electrical appliances are turned off once charged and to be isolated.
We're also being reminded to not leave items charging in garages, sheds and outbuildings overnight, or when they will be unattended for long periods of time.