Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) specialist fire investigators have blamed a faulty lithium-ion battery for a fire that destroyed a villa in Epping earlier this week.
After sifting though the debris of the Kent Street address and talking to the occupants, fire investigators determined a lithium ion battery purchased second-hand had a catastrophic failure, causing the intense fire on Wednesday.
A solar panel system located in the rear yard was charging the battery, located inside the home when the blaze broke out.
FRNSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said although the fire was devastating for the family, it could have been a lot worse…thankfully there were no injuries.
“Had this inferno ignited in the middle of the night we could be talking about fatalities today,” Dewberry said.
“Our advice to the community is ‘always consider where you purchase your lithium ion batteries and associated equipment.
“It is not a good idea to purchase them second-hand, especially when you don’t know the history of the products.
“We recommend always purchasing from a reputable retailer and recharging the batteries with equipment provided by the manufacturer.”
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.