Lithium-ion battery causes explosion inside Fond du Lac home, no one hurt

FOND DU LAC – No one was hurt after an explosion was reported in a Fond du Lac living room Wednesday night.
Fond du Lac Fire Rescue crews were dispatched to the residence at around 11:36 p.m. June 18. When they arrived, they found a lithium-ion battery had been charging in the living room and overheated, causing a thermal runaway.
The department said the fire was extinguished by the resident and crews determined there was no extension of the fire.
The explosion damaged the floor and wall of the residence.
Read more: Remember when Vulcan Manufacturing was a significant steel producer? Its projects still support Fond du Lac buildings.
Fond du Lac Fire Rescue said in the release: 'Lithium-ion batteries have become a core component of modern life, powering everything from smartphones and laptops to e-bikes and power tools. However, as demand grows, so does the influx of cheaply made, uncertified batteries and chargers — many of which do not meet the rigorous safety standards established by Underwriters Laboratories.'
As a result, the department shared the following 'key safety requirements' for lithium-ion batteries:
Only use batteries and chargers that are UL listed (such as UL 1642, UL 2054, UL 62133, UL 2271);
Purchase from reputable manufacturers and retailers;
Avoid mixing components (like using a third-party charger with an unverified battery);
Regularly inspect batteries for signs of damage, swelling or overheating; and
Never charge batteries unattended or overnight.
Contact Brandon Reid at breid@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Fond du Lac explosion inside home was caused by lithium-ion battery

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