E-scooters: Warning for owners as shock video shows battery exploding while on charge

It took less than 10 minutes for an overheated lithium-ion battery in a charging e-scooter to explode and cause a blaze that completely destroyed this loungeroom.

The alarming example of the danger posed by battery-powered devices was laid bare on Tuesday as emergency services pleaded with West Australians to take precautions to prevent devastating house fires this winter.

Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said the number of house fires in WA have decreased over the past four years, from 690 to about 606, but prevalence of house fires caused by lithium batteries had almost doubled (27 to 50).

About 15 of those fires were related to e-scooters.

To demonstrate just how fast a fire can escalate, firefighters charged an e-scooter, bringing the batteries to an ignition temperature and recorded how quickly it escalated. It took just eight to 10 minutes for the blaze to sweep through the room.

Mr Dawson said many fires were started in sheds, which traditionally do not have fire detectors, and where batteries for items such as tools and e-scooters were often charged.

“Over the past few years, we are seeing more people with scooters, with mobile phones, with laptops, iPads, in their house and they are leaving them in unsafe situations.

“Fires can heat up very, very quickly and can have a significant effect on your home.

“Don’t be complacent. If you are going to use e-scooters or mobile phones, make sure you are not leaving them unattended or you could end up with a devastating impact on your house.”

Department of Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said it was also important to buy quality, reputable products, to charge items on hard surfaces, and not for significant amounts of time or unattended.

“There’s been an increase in the number of incidents that involve lithium-ion batteries in the home so people need to take care when they are charging them,” he said.

Mr Klemm added it was also important as winter continued to take care with heaters — refraining from leaving clothing or other flammable items unattended in front of them — and having chimneys cleaned regularly.

There have been several fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in Perth over the past few months, including last month when a Queens Park warehouse burnt to the ground.

Firefighters suspected it was caused by lithium batteries that were charging in an office area. And a Beeliar house was destroyed last April when a dive torch that was charging exploded.