Toy battery blamed for house fire

Fire risk management officer Jon Rewi at the scene of the Muir St fire. Photo/Gisbourne Herald

Bay of Plenty and Gisborne fire risk management officer Jon Rewi is warning people about the dangers of lithium polymer (lipo) batteries following the destruction of a Gisborne home this month.

Rodney and Kelly-Ann Melville lost most of the contents of their Muir St home.

Mr Rewi has established the probable cause was a "lipo".

"I am 98 per cent certain that the fire was started by an overheating lithium battery in a toy helicopter in the lounge room," he said.

"The battery inside the helicopter was definitely a lithium polymer or lipo battery."

He advised people to read the directions on the box when buying items powered by such batteries and never leave them in the toy or appliance involved.

"They have become popular with radio-controlled model enthusiasts because of their light weight and slow discharge compared to other batteries."

The fire service has put out a "safety alert' on lipo batteries.

"Unlike other batteries, lithium polymer batteries are chemically-volatile, and must be charged and handled carefully," the website alert states.

"Some houses and a business in New Zealand have been extensively damaged by fires caused by damaged, or improperly charged, lipo batteries.

"All vendors of such batteries should warn their customers of the dangers and recommend extreme caution in their use," the alert states.

Mr Rewi said he had checked out a number of toys and appliances powered by them.

"It states clearly on the boxes of the items I have seen - 'When not in use remove the battery'."

Mr Rewi said the batteries could be unstable in hot temperatures. "Particularly when they have been over-charged, or under-charged."

The fire service says lipo batteries burn extremely hot - more than 1000C - and can create a fireball 1.8m in diameter. Additional reporting by Gisborne Herald