Firefighters battled a shed fire in Maldon last Monday, managing to contain the blaze before it spread to a nearby house.
The fire, which was believed to have started in a stand-alone battery pack stored in the shed, broke out at 4pm at a residence on Maldon-Newstead Road.
Firefighters from 11 CFA units worked together to bring the fire under control in under an hour.
Incident controller Bruce Clement said the fire presented several challenges on the ground.
“Our crew was first on scene and found the structure fully alight, with heavy smoke swirling throughout the area. Once suppression started, we identified what appeared to be a lithium-ion battery pack near the front of the building,” Bruce said.
“Access was difficult due to trees, other structures and general clutter, and we had to position crews carefully while maintaining a safe distance due to poor visibility.
“There was no mains water available, so we established a relay system using a nearby dam, with Newstead’s big fill pumping water up to our tankers. That setup was key to getting the fire under control.”
CFA District 2 Assistant Chief Fire Officer Dean Simmons said Victorians needed to be cautious when storing or charging lithium-ion battery-powered devices.
“When dealing with lithium-ion batteries, only use the charger that came with your device, or one that’s been certified as compatible,” Dean said.
“Only purchase and use devices and equipment from reputable manufacturers and suppliers.”
Dean also highlighted the importance of interconnected smoke alarms in the home.
“Interconnected smoke alarms are a must, especially in areas where you regularly charge devices,” he said.
“Early detection gives you the best chance to act quickly if something goes wrong.”
