WESTPORT — A lithium battery-powered snowblower burst into flames and was destroyed by intense fire while being used to clear snow in the wake of this week’s storm, according to a post on the Fire Department’s Facebook page.
Firefighters were dispatched early Monday to the scene where a snow-removal crew’s 80-volt electric snowblower, powered by a lithium-ion battery, caught fire.
The equipment, according to the report, began running hot, hissing and discharging smoke. The landscaping crew moved the snowblower away from nearby structures, where fire erupted and consumed the device.
The intense flames projected lithium-ion cells “up to 150 feet due to a rapid chain reaction known as thermal runaway,” according to the post.
Lithium-ion battery fires “release highly reactive and toxic gases,” the Fire Department said. There is a significant risk of re-ignition, even after flames appear to be extinguished.
The department offers the following advice for the care and safe use of lithium battery-powered equipment:
- Inspect batteries regularly for signs of damage or swelling.
- Store batteries away from heat sources and flammable materials.
- Never leave batteries charging unattended or near living areas.
- If a battery shows signs of failure, move it to a safe, outdoor location and contact emergency services.
A professional crew using professional equipment, and this still happens. This is the technology that the town and RTM are forcing landscapers to use for leaves and they’re hoping to expand for other equipment. Why aren’t we valuing the health and safety of these workers and our first responders? This is a tragedy waiting to happen.