Garage Fire Lost Everything Inside, the cause was a Lipo battery explosion

6142 Views 38 Replies 30 Participants Last post by RainMan 2.0, Mar 5, 2021

kcortese12

Discussion Starter · Feb 5, 2021 (Edited)

9

On February 1st around 1:30am, my son heard a lout banging sound outside his window.

When he looked out, there were flames coming out of the wall of the garage.

He called 911, we all got out of the house, put the dog inside the truck and moved all our vehicles.

Fire department was here within 15 minutes and saved our house because it is only 4 foot away.

All my equipment is a total loss. Thank goodness we have good insurance.

We had a brand new freezer full of food, the insurance adjuster told us not to open it because the food is now contaminated.

All the fire inspectors came to the conclusion that it was a lipo battery that exploded causing the fire.

Rechargeable tool batteries and the chargers can also explode, so Please, if you have any tool batteries, PLEASE do NOT leave them on the charger, and make sure the charger is UNPLUGGED also because they can explode too!!!

UPDATE: My new garage is finally done. I replaced most of my equipment but still need a router table, Compound sliding miter saw, and drill press. I have my Mega V XL up and running today. Here are some pics of my new work shop.

tteries, do not .

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1 - 20 of 39 Posts

Graham Prinn

· #2 · Feb 5, 2021

Wow, So sorry to hear this. Must be so frustrating to have this happen to you. Hopefully, the insurance will cover all your loses and your up and running again soon.

kcortese12

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 5, 2021

Graham Prinn said:
Wow, So sorry to hear this. Must be so frustrating to have this happen to you. Hopefully, the insurance will cover all your loses and your up and running again soon.

Should be up and running some time in the summer.
The important thing is NOBODY GOT HURT. Material things can be replaced.

Reactions: 5

kp91

· #4 · Feb 5, 2021

Thank the Lord only stuff was lost.

My next house is going to have a detached workshop. Right now it's underneath 2 bedrooms. I am always concerned about a fire.

kcortese12

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 5, 2021

kp91 said:
Thank the Lord only stuff was lost.

My next house is going to have a detached workshop. Right now it's underneath 2 bedrooms. I am always concerned about a fire.

Our garage is detached, but only 5ft away. They will tear it down and rebuild. I think I want a separate room for the workshop. That way we can pull in the car and my shop will not loose heat.

Reactions: 2

difalkner

· #6 · Feb 5, 2021

Oh wow!! Sure hate to hear about this but so glad y'all weren't hurt. Keep us posted!

David

Reactions: 1

John Smith_

· #7 · Feb 5, 2021

wow - totally speechless.
as said - thank goodness your home was spared and everyone is okay.

Reactions: 1

honesttjohn

· #8 · Feb 5, 2021

Feeling for you. Good Luck.

Reactions: 1

RainMan 2.0

· #9 · Feb 6, 2021

Very sorry to hear this . Thank you for the info ,as I keep my batteries on the charger on occasion. Not anymore .

Reactions: 1

old55

· #10 · Feb 6, 2021

That’s sad, hopefully we can all learn from this.

Reactions: 1

woodworker47

· #11 · Feb 6, 2021

Sorry to hear about your loss. Can not image what is going through your mind right now. I built a charging station several years ago. I remove the batteries from each tool after use and after charging, I have a master switch to turn off power to charger. My 47’x32’ garage/workshop is 50’ from house. My major concern is my gas heater failing.

Hope insurance does not cause you a problem and you get everything replace soon.

papasombre

· #12 · Feb 6, 2021

Sorry to know that, Kcortese12.
Thanks to God your son heard the explosion and could get the alarm.
Another fact to take into consideration about cordless tools.

kywoodchopper

· #13 · Feb 6, 2021

kcortese12 said:
On February 1st around 1:30am, my son heard a lout banging sound outside his window.

When he looked out, there were flames coming out of the wall of the garage.

He called 911, we all got out of the house, put the dog inside the truck and moved all our vehicles.

Fire department was here within 15 minutes and saved our house because it is only 4 foot away.

All my equipment is a total loss. Thank goodness we have good insurance.

We had a brand new freezer full of food, the insurance adjuster told us not to open it because the food is now contaminated.

All the fire inspectors came to the conclusion that it was a lipo battery that exploded causing the fire.

Rechargeable tool batteries and the chargers can also explode, so Please, if you have any tool batteries, PLEASE do NOT leave them on the charger, and make sure the charger is UNPLUGGED also because they can explode too!!! View attachment 397645 View attachment 397646 View attachment 397647 View attachment 397648 tteries, do not .

I had a friend that hired a painter to paint the inside of their house. The painter had plugged a battery charger in their garage and put a battery in it then left for the evening. The friend came home at night and saw smoke coming from their garage. It was the battery and charger that caused the fire. They were fortunate that they caught it as soon as it started.

sreilly

· #14 · Feb 6, 2021

Glad to hear everyone is fine. The insurance company will feel the bite if lumber prices are as crazy where you are as they are in my area. $6 for a not so nice 2x4........how anyone can afford to build these days is a wonder.

Chris Itin

· #15 · Feb 6, 2021

I'm very sorry to hear this, but glad nobody was injured. Just curious as to what device you had that was using a LiPo battery.

ger21

· #16 · Feb 6, 2021

Yes, I've heard about LiPo batteries in RC planes being dangerous, but I don't know what elso LiPo batteries are used for??

kcortese12

Discussion Starter · #17 · Feb 6, 2021

RainMan 2.0 said:
Very sorry to hear this . Thank you for the info ,as I keep my batteries on the charger on occasion. Not anymore .

Just keep the chargers unplugged.

kcortese12

Discussion Starter · #18 · Feb 6, 2021

ger21 said:
Yes, I've heard about LiPo batteries in RC planes being dangerous, but I don't know what elso LiPo batteries are used for??

Lipo batteries are used in anything with remote controls. My son had them for his RC cars, my husband has them for his RC planes. My husband has his Lipo batteries in bags, and purchased a metal ammunition box with lid to store them in. That way the batteries are double canceled in case of explosion.

kcortese12

Discussion Starter · #19 · Feb 6, 2021

kywoodchopper said:
I had a friend that hired a painter to paint the inside of their house. The painter had plugged a battery charger in their garage and put a battery in it then left for the evening. The friend came home at night and saw smoke coming from their garage. It was the battery and charger that caused the fire. They were fortunate that they caught it as soon as it started.

Oh no!!! So glad they were able to extinguish the fire before they lost the building.

Flipsaw

· #20 · Feb 6, 2021

Glad everyone is safe, and sorry for the loss. Prayers are with you during these tough times.

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