Resident throws burning scooter out of Ann Arbor home; lithium-ion battery to blame
(AAFD)
FOX 2, Ann Arbor, Mich.A resident’s life was saved by smoke detectors after a scooter caught fire inside their house on Friday morning.
Around 7 a.m., the person’s detector warned them of a fire while they were asleep inside their house in the 1000 block of Pontiac Trail. A scooter with a lithium-ion battery was burning right inside their front door, which served as their sole means of escape, according to the Ann Arbor Fire Department.
The scooter was successfully retrieved and thrown into the yard by the resident. They inhaled smoke and sustained slight burns on their hands.
According to the fire service, the battery experienced thermal runaway, which is a condition in which a fire’s flames are fueled by an increasing amount of energy released as its temperature rises. There are several reasons why lithium batteries catch fire, such as battery damage, exposure to water, electrical damage from overcharging, and exposure to extremely high or low temperatures.
(AAFD)
The scooter was only two months old, had the original battery, which did not seem to be damaged, and was not charging at the time, according to the fire department. These kinds of fires frequently occur when batteries are charging.
The scooter wasn’t functioning properly the day before, according to the fire department. Firefighters advise leaving a lithium-ion battery-powered device outside, at least 10 feet away from adjacent buildings, if it is malfunctioning.
On Monday, fire officials from all throughout Michigan came together to raise awareness about the dangers of utilizing products that include lithium-ion batteries.
Firefighters in Ann Arbor offered advice on how to use these batteries safely:
Sensitive smells, blistering, bulging, or swelling of the casing, leaking electrolyte, heating up and feeling very hot to the touch, unusual popping, hissing, or crackling sounds, smoke, or fumes, and the following are warning signs to watch out for in a device or battery: Never touch a swollen or ruptured device or battery with bare hands as the heat and/or chemicals can cause severe burns. Make use of a shovel or dustpan.
If a little battery or gadget, such a tablet or phone, begins to swell or overheat:If it is charging, unplug it from the power outlet.Don’t breathe in any fumes or smoke.If at all feasible, relocate it outside, away from windows and doorways, and away from anything combustible. It should be left outside for a minimum of twenty-four hours.
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