E-bike battery explosion in Shelton leaves two in hospital
Emergency services were called to a house on Wellesley Street on New Years' Day
Firefighters in Staffordshire are warning about the potential leathal dangers of faulty batteries after an e-bike battery exploded at a house in Shelton on New Years Day.
On Monday ( a house on Wellesley Street in Shelton caught fire due to a faulty e-bike battery.
One of the people in the house was hospitalised with burns and smoke inhalation, whilst another was also taken to hospital with smoke inhalation.
A third person suffered minor injuries.
Fire officers identified the cause as being an e-bike battery, which had been left on charge.
The fire service are nwo reiterating the need to be aware of the significant risks to life that faulty lithium-ion batteries can have.
"You should regularly check your battery for any signs of damage. This should especially be done if the battery or device has been dropped or damaged in some way.
"Even if you think there is a slight chance that your battery is damaged, you should not use or charge it, and you must replace it immediately.
"For the five simple checks you can do on your battery, just remember SANTA:
"Aroma- Is there a strong or unusual smell coming from the battery?
"Noise- Can you hear your battery hissing or cracking? Is your device making any other unusual sounds?
"Temperature- Does your device or battery feel extremely hot to touch?
"Appearance- Does the battery look swollen? Has it drastically changed shape?"
Ian Read, Head of Prevent, Protect and Partnerships at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “For the second time in a month, we have seen just how dangerous these lithium-ion batteries can be.
“Those caught in this house explosion are undoubtedly lucky to still be alive. But Lucy from Lichfield said the same thing, after her replacement battery exploded.
“Unfortunately, we cannot be relying on luck every time another faulty lithium-ion battery causes devastation somewhere else in Staffordshire.
“Next time, an exploding battery could prove fatal.
“That is why we are calling on everybody to regularly check their batteries and their devices.
“By following SANTA, you will be able to easily check the five key aspects of your battery.
“Do not power on, use or charge any devices or batteries unless you are certain that they are completely safe.
“Please Buy Safe and Charge Safe.”