As the embers cool on South King Street in Honolulu, the aftermath of a recent fire has the Honolulu Fire Department amplifying warnings about a common household item: rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The blaze that rendered nine people homeless and incurred damages nearing a million dollars was ignited by such a battery, found in everything from e-bikes to smartphones.
A chemical reaction from a lithium-ion battery designed for a portable speaker was responsible for the destruction. The fire, erasing almost $1 million in value, serves as a stark reminder of the volatile nature of these ubiquitous power sources. “Lithium-ion has the capability of producing oxygen, heat, and fuel, which is fire. So we can put the things out and, eventually, if the chemical reaction does occur, it could reignite again,” HFD Fire Inspector Tom Inouye warned in a statement obtained by Hawaii News Now.
The incident, reported early Monday, was addressed promptly by firefighters who found light smoke emanating from the fourth floor of the building. No individuals were present during the search of the residence, and the fire was declared extinguished within half an hour of the brigade’s arrival, as reported by KITV. Damage estimates total $905,000, comprising both the structure and its contents…