Lithium-Ion Batteries Likely Caused Major Onset Fire

ONSET, MA — The fire that caused major damage to a hobby shop and a nearby business earlier this month most likely started with lithium-ion batteries, said Onset Fire Chief Jeffrey R. Osswald and State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine.

“Lithium-ion batteries power many of the devices we use every day,” said Osswald. “The fire damage and heavy, toxic smoke from this incident demonstrate just how serious we all have to be about battery safety.”

Onset Fire Rescue responded to 3086 Cranberry Highway around 11:40 a.m. on Jan. 5 following an alarm activation and 9-1-1 call reporting fire in the building. Firefighters observed heavy smoke on arrival at the large, multi-occupancy commercial building.

Officials entered and began to attack the "significant" fire in two of the businesses. The fire went to four alarms, drawing firefighters from across the region.

One firefighter was transported to an area hospital and released the same day.

As they brought the fire under control, firefighters became aware of hundreds of lithium-ion batteries at the primary fire scene, including batteries that reignited during overhaul.

They requested a Tier 1 Hazmat response to assist in mitigating this hazard, and state Hazmat technicians carefully loaded the remaining batteries into dumpsters layered with sand for safe removal.

The origin and cause of the fire were investigated by Onset Fire-Rescue and State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office.

Investigators determined that the fire started accidentally in the front left corner of the store, and they are confident that the failure of a lithium-ion battery in that area caused it.

Store surveillance video shows the incipient stage of the fire in this location, where batteries were stored and charged.

“About 135 lithium-ion battery fires were reported in Massachusetts last year, and we believe the true number is even higher,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “When these batteries are abused, overcharged, overheated, or defective, they can fail rapidly and violently in a fire or explosion that also releases toxic, flammable gases.”

Video of the fire can be seen here: