FIREFIGHTERS are warning about the dangers of lithium ion batteries after they had to use a unique method to extinguish a Bradford district fire this afternoon.

Keighley, Bingley and Silsden fire stations were called at 1.45pm today (Tuesday) to reports of a building fire on Marriner Road, Keighley.

Upon arrival, firefighters discovered that the fire involved an electric trials motorbike was involved in fire.

"It turned out to be a motorbike and its lithium ion battery had caught fire," said Adam Dykes, crew commander of Keighley Fire Station.

"We used a dry powder to extinguish it, but then built a dam to submerge it because these batteries can reignite.

"The danger is that they can reignite hours later."

One ignited, lithium ion batteries are difficult to extinguish," said Andrew Shaw, who was serving as watch commander at Bingley Fire Station for the day.

"We had to build a dam, fill it with water from the fire engines and put the bike in the water for at least 24 hours to let the battery cool down."

Watch commander Shaw also issued a strong warning about the charging of lithium ion batteries to people who have electric motorbikes or electric cars.

He said: "People need to take care how they charge and store these kind of batteries.

"You should use branded chargers and branded batteries, and don't leave them unattended while charging.

"It's going to be the next big risk. I know of an electric car that had to be lifted into a skip and had to be left for two weeks.

"That's one of the problems with lithium batteries. They retain their heat so they need to be cooled down."

Crew commander Dykes also warned people to ring the fire service straight away if there is a problem.

He said: "If anyone has a problem with lithium ion batteries, call the fire service immediately.

"The main message is that these batteries maintain their heat and reignition can happen hours later.

"It's not a common fire, but certainly down the line as more people own electric vehicles there are going to be more and more issues.

"These vehicles are becoming more popular."

 

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