What is different about these fires

When a lithium-ion cell fails, it can go into thermal runaway: it heats itself, vents flammable gases and can ignite neighboring cells in a chain. These fires can flare violently, throw burning material and are hard to extinguish completely. Firefighters often use large amounts of water to cool the pack.

The smoke from a battery fire carries residue from the cell chemistry, plastics and electronics. Fire service and safety organizations treat that smoke as hazardous to breathe. Residue on surfaces in the garage, on stored items and on the adjoining walls should be handled with protective equipment and cleaned with that in mind, not just wiped down.

Because so many of these batteries are charged in garages attached to the house, the shared wall, the door into the home and any room above the garage deserve the same inspection after a battery fire as after any other garage fire.

A cautious cleanup order

  1. Let the fire department clear the scene

    Do not start any cleanup until responders say the battery and area are safe.

  2. Isolate battery remains

    Follow the fire department's direction. Battery debris is generally kept outdoors, away from structures, until it is taken to a facility that accepts damaged batteries.

  3. Ventilate and protect yourself

    Open the garage door, keep the house door closed, and wear gloves, eye protection and a well-fitted respirator for any handling.

  4. Document and remove debris

    Photograph everything, then remove burned items. Ask your restorer how residues from the battery will be cleaned from surfaces.

  5. Check the house side

    Inspect the shared wall, attic and rooms above for smoke, and have the restorer test whether residue reached them.

Information your insurer may ask for

  • Make, model and age of the device and battery, if known
  • Where and how it was being charged, and with which charger
  • Photos of the device remains before they are removed
  • The fire department incident number
  • Receipts or records of purchase for the device

Ask your restoration contractor

  1. Have you cleaned up after battery fires before, and what did you do differently?
  2. How will battery debris be stored and disposed of?
  3. Will surfaces be tested after cleaning, and how?

Common questions

Where can I take a damaged lithium-ion battery?

Not every battery drop-off accepts damaged packs. Ask the fire department, Arapahoe County household hazardous waste resources or the device manufacturer for a facility that takes swollen or burned batteries.

Can I keep charging other batteries in the garage?

If you do, use the manufacturer's charger, charge on a hard non-combustible surface away from clutter, avoid charging overnight or while away, and stop using any pack that is swollen, hot or damaged.

General information for Centennial, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.