SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Lithium-ion batteries are igniting fires in homes, trucks and even airplanes across the nation — with a growing threat that has local officials urging residents to handle these power sources carefully.
Just last month, a lithium-ion scooter battery sparked a fire in an Ocala apartment, where three children were sleeping just feet away. In Seminole County, improperly discarded lithium-ion batteries caused a truck fire that destroyed four trailers, resulting in nearly half a million dollars in damages.
Oliver Bond, manager of Seminole County’s Solid Waste Management Center, explained the danger posed by damaged or overheated lithium-ion batteries.
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“And the issue with the lithium-ion batteries is if they get damaged or overheated, they can come into a process called thermal runaway, which can lead to fires and explosions or even releases of toxic gases,” Bond said.
Bond offered safety advice for residents using lithium-ion batteries.
“Make sure you’re using the charger that came with the device. Make sure if it’s running very hot that you unplug it and don’t run it when it’s hot,” he said.
He added that swollen batteries should never be charged and should be brought to a safe drop-off location, such as Seminole County’s Central Transfer Station in Longwood.
According to Florida’s Division of State Fire Marshal, there were 260 incidents involving lithium-ion battery fires in 2024. Bond said many of the fires could have been avoided if the batteries were not simply thrown away.
“Trucks have compactors built into them,” Bond explained. “And when those compactors press those batteries, that can activate that thermal runaway and they can explode or set fire.”
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He urged anyone unsure about the safety of their battery to bring it to a local waste management facility for assistance.
News 6 investigators uncovered significant gaps in state battery safety regulations, leading to a new law granting the State Fire Marshal authority to regulate lithium-ion battery storage and disposal statewide.
We reached out to Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia’s office for an update on the law’s status but have not yet received a response.