Northern Territory Police yesterday attended a structure fire at Milingimbi which is believed to have been started by a lithium-ion battery.
At 3:00pm, police conducting patrols responded to a residence’s outdoor storage area that was engulfed in smoke.
The residence was evacuated and extinguished by local police officers and community members. No one was injured.
Investigations determined that the point of origin for the fire was a lithium-ion battery powered large toy car.
Chief Fire Officer Mark Spain AFSM said “Lithium-ion battery powered products are becoming an increasing concern for the safety of the public as people are not educated about their correct usage and potential risks.
“Consumers are reminded to follow manufacturer’s instructions for storage and charging of lithium-ion powered products. The high energy batteries pose a threat if not treated properly.
“It is incredibly lucky that no one was harmed during this structure fire and we remind the community to take precautionary measures when it comes to product safety.
“We thank the Northern Territory Police Force for their continued assistance in remote communities where the NT Fire and Rescue Service are not in direct reach.”
For more information on the product safety of lithium-ion batteries visit the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission website here: Lithium-ion batteries | Product Safety Australia
