Coroner launches lithium-ion battery inquest after 275 fires

The NSW Coroners Court will hold an inquest to examine the deaths and serious fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, following hundreds of fires that have started throughout the state this year. The batteries, which are found in e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards, and e-scooters, have started 275 fires in the past year, resulting in 26 people being left injured and 876 evacuations. This inquest into lithium-ion battery fires will examine if any changes can be made to stop the undisclosed deaths, fires or explosions in the future. State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan will head the inquiry amid concerns the batteries are causing about five fires in NSW per week. “We have seen a recent trend of fires being caused by items containing lithium-ion batteries, including e-bikes and e-scooters. Sadly, these fires have resulted in lives being lost,” she said. Lithium-ion batteries are the fastest-growing cause of fires in NSW, while the sale of e-mobility devices increased by 322 per cent in 2022 from 2020 figures. The warning comes just prior to the holiday period where there is an expected uptick in sales of lithium-ion battery products. “At this time of year, when people are buying Christmas gifts for their loved ones, I would urge everyone to follow the safety advice on Lithium-ion batteries. “Make sure you only buy products that comply with the Australian standard. Use an approved charger, charge while you’re at home and awake and unplug when the battery is full,” she said. Ms O’Sullivan warned households against mixing and matching devices and to beware of cheap, substandard devices. “Store lithium battery devices away from exits and sleeping areas so you have time to escape if a fire does start,” she said. “Know the signs to look out for: If there is a strange odour, vapour, smoke, or a strange sound coming from a lithium battery-powered device, get out and call triple-0.” NSW is cracking down on the sale of some e-bikes and e-scooters. Under rules announced in August, e-bikes, e-scooters, hoverboards and e-skateboards will become “declared electric devices”. As part of this crackdown, the battery-powered devices will need to meet a set of internationally accepted product standards, including appropriate tests and certification. Vendors of non-compliant devices will face fines of up to $825,000 from February 2025.