Massachusetts fire officials warn after lithium-ion battery exploded after being left in sun

NORTH ANDOVER–A lithium-ion battery left in the sun all day exploded on a North Andover apartment balcony last Sunday, causing a small fire, North Andover Fire Chief John Weir said today. 

“Overheating and overcharging lithium-ion batteries can lead to an explosion or fire that puts everyone in the home at risk,” said Chief Weir. “Fortunately, residents quickly became aware of the fire and were able to extinguish it, but under different circumstances it could have spread and caused serious damage or worse.” 

It’s important to use, charge, and store lithium-ion batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions, Chief Weir said. Always use the original charging equipment, disconnect devices when they’re fully charged, protect them from damage or abuse, and avoid leaving them in hot cars or direct sunlight. 

The North Andover Fire Department responded to 99 Edgelawn Ave. following a report of a fire at about 6:24 pm on July 7. On arrival, firefighters observed smoke coming from a second-floor rear balcony. They made entry and met with the owner, who had quickly knocked down the fire with a fire extinguisher before it spread further. All occupants of the three-story, six-unit dwelling escaped unharmed. 

“It’s important to call the fire department in a case like this, even if the fire appears to be extinguished,” said Chief Weir. “Lithium-ion battery packs can spontaneously reignite hours after the initial fire. Please let us handle these items and remove them for safe disposal.” 

The origin and cause of the fire were investigated by the North Andover Fire Department. Based on an examination of the scene and witness interviews, they determined that a lithium-ion battery intended for an orbital sander had been left on the balcony in direct sunlight for six to eight hours, causing the battery to overheat and explode. 

“The high energy density of lithium-ion batteries means they pack a lot of power into a small device,” said State Fire Marshal Jon Davine. “Overcharging, overheating, and physical damage can cause them to fail rapidly and violently, like this one did.” 

When choosing devices powered by lithium-ion batteries, fire officials and safety experts recommend selecting products that are listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory like UL or Intertek/ETL. Stop using the device right away if you observe swelling or punctures, hear hissing or popping sounds, or notice that it’s giving off unusual heat or odor.