A San Diego Fire-Rescue Battalion Chief says in the last five years firefighters have seen a significant increase in fires caused by a lithium-ion battery malfunction.
Jada Rocca still has the scars from the burns she received when her North Park home caught on fire. It was an e-scooter battery that suddenly sparked the blaze.
“It started sparking a little bit and within seconds - boom!” she said recalling how she and others barely escaped with their lives from the flames. “I could’ve died, let alone that one of my nieces or nephews, had a baby in the house. You know, we need to be extremely careful.” San Diego City Fire Battalion Chief Robert Rezendee agrees. He says in the last five years firefighters have seen a significant increase in fires caused by a lithium-ion battery malfunction.Get San Diego local news, weather forecasts, sports and lifestyle stories to your inbox.“A lot of bad things occur all in one small space,” he explained with a pack of lithium-ion batteries in his hand. “We have an explosive fire where windows have been blown out and doors have been blown off their hinges.
Once the batteries ignite, the chief says it’s best to get out and call 911 right away. Too many people have been injured trying to put it out. “It burns its own oxygen so you can’t put it out. You can’t put water on them and put it out. We’ve dunked them in water and it’s still burning in the bucket of water,” he said.- Do not modify them in any way and try to keep away from aftermarket products.- This includes the storage and/or charging locations. Batteries do not do well in hot places like a garage or shed for example.- This means try not to charge overnight when you’re sleeping. Keep an eye on it as much as possible.
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