Smoking and sparking in your devices should raise serious alarms

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) – The former Skyline Apartment complex’s recent fire was caused by a lithium battery for an e-bike that failed for an undetermined reason.

Fierce flames that come out of nowhere.

“There’s a little puff of smoke, and then all the sudden, the whole room is filled with smoke and fire,” Syracuse Fire Department District Chief Matt Craner said.

Fires caused by lithium-powered batteries spread faster than your typical candle to curtain fires.

“With lithium batteries when they do fail and cause a fire, they tend to do so pretty spectacularly. It’s almost like fireworks. It’s just a tremendous amount of heat and energy release, tremendous amount of smoke and other products of combustion released in a very short span of time,” District Chief Craner said.

Spreading a lot quicker and requiring more water to smother the flames.

“A fire that normally wouldn’t be that advanced. When we’re dealing with one of these fires, it can be a lot farther along by the time we get there. It could potentially make it more difficult to get a handle on it,” District Chief Craner explained.

The Syracuse Fire Department has special equipment for the lithium batteries involved in a fire. A special metal container and powder is used to ensure that the battery doesn’t ignite again. The barrel’s bottom is first covered with the special powder that inhibits the chemical reaction that has taken place to stop generating heat that causes the thermal runaway.

Next, the lithium battery is placed in the barrel and the powder is poured on top of it to fill the entire barrel before it is sealed.

“When we’re talking about the batteries, specifically making sure you’re using the right charger for the right device, making sure you’re not using batteries that are damaged. Batteries that are functioning completely normally can still generate a fair amount of heat as they charge, so you want to make sure that you keep the area around your charging area clear,” District Chief Craner advised.

Lithium powered batteries are now the norm — found in your phones, video game controllers, and even e-cigarettes… which means without proper precautions, there’s plenty of chances for things to go up in flames.