A fire has caused extensive damage at Li-ion Energy’s battery recycling facility in south-eastern Perth, and a HAZMAT warning remains in place due to hazardous smoke in the area.
According to ABC News, the warning was issued just before 3pm on Sunday, with reports of a man being taken to hospital for smoke inhalation.
Related article: New study highlights overlooked step in battery recycling
The blaze at the Li-ion Energy facility at Burwash Place was first spotted at 1:45pm.
Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) incident controller Leigh Bishop said approximately 80 tonnes of lithium-ion solid-state batteries were inside the facility.
“Crews entered to try and do an internal attack, and from that point it was quickly understood that that wasn’t going to be able to be achieved,” he told the ABC.
“So we went to the strategy of an external attack to protect our crews first and foremost, and then to try and contain the fire as best as possible.”
While the exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined, Bishop said the business owner thought he saw it ignite.
“The property owner did advise me that when they saw the fire initiate, it was in the middle of a pallet of batteries,” he said.
“They attempted to extinguish [it], but they removed themselves really quickly just due to the fire intensity increasing as it did.”
The business has reportedly lost an estimated $7 million in goods as well as the building.
Related article: Australia’s first lithium battery maker in administration
In addition to its advanced lithium battery recycling facility, Li-ion Energy reconditions, remanufactures, and repurposes large-format energy storage systems from BESS installations, mining fleets, and industrial electric vehicles.
