Fire Marshal warns of lithium-ion battery fires

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – The State Fire Marshal is warning residents about fires caused by lithium-ion batteries.

The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services reports that in the last six months, there have been 50 fires caused by lithium-ion batteries.

The incidents involved consumer devices that utilize the batteries, including e-bikes, e-cigarettes, as well as cell-phones, and power tools. The fires usually occur when these products are overcharged or overheated, and cannot be put out easily with water.

Lt. Tony Spear with the West Springfield Fire Department, told 22News, “If you are home and happen to have an issue with one of these batteries, they do catch fire, you are going to attempt to put it out, use an ABC extinguisher, a dry chemical extinguisher will put it out.”

Lt. Spear says that you should always be near your devices when charging them, and if you do hear a hissing sound, or smell an odor coming from the charger, call a fire department immediately.

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Kristina D’Amours is a reporter who is a part of the evening 22News team. Follow Kristina on X @KristinaD_WWLP and view her bio to see more of her work.

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