The tranquil afternoon in Maddington was shattered today when a blaze erupted at the Li-ion Energy workshop, sending the co-owner to the hospital and urging nearby residents to remain indoors due to hazardous smoke. The fire, which ignited around 1:30 p.m., unleashed thick, toxic fumes into the sky, leading to a hazmat alert for parts of Perth.
Inside the workshop, lithium batteries poised for export became engulfed in flames, intensifying the situation. Despite speculation, founder Justin Manton clarified, “We had a bunch of lithium batteries ready for export, but we don’t think the fire was caused by the batteries. It was something that set fire to the crates around the batteries, and it just spread really fast.”
The inferno began in one of the adjacent workspaces while the owners were on the premises, leaving them stunned by the rapid escalation. Manton somberly estimated the damages, stating, “It’s well over $7 million in lost goods, and then there’s the building.”
“It was something that set fire to the crates around the batteries, it just spread really fast.”
The owners were inside when the blaze ignited in one of the neighbouring workspaces.
“[It’s] well over $7 million in lost goods, and then there’s a building,” Manton said.
Burwash Place in Maddington was closed as fire crews got to work.
“We know we’re dealing with approximately 80 tonnes of solid-state batteries,” Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA Superintendent Leigh Bishop said.
Just last year the owners spoke to 9News warning about the dangers of battery fires, never imagining they’d be dealing with one themselves on this devastating scale.
“Yeah it’s pretty shocking, one of the things we just try to avoid the most is fires and to have it happen here is disappointing, and a bit tragic,” Manton said.
Late this afternoon crews appeared to get the upper hand but were set to remain on scene into the night.Â
The collapsed roof and walls of a workshop, along with twisted and smoking metal were signs of the damage.
“It’ll be a hard one, it’ll be pretty hard to overcome this,” Manton said.
Nearby residents were told to stay inside because of the hazardous smoke.
The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined.
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