LITHIUM-ion batteries in everyday household devices are behind a surge in residential fires across Queensland.
New data released by the Queensland Fire Department (QFD) shows firefighters were called to 24 lithium battery-related blazes in Ipswich and the Scenic Rim since mid-2022.
Ipswich accounted for the vast majority, with 21 incidents, while three were recorded in the Scenic Rim.
The number of cases has been climbing. In Ipswich alone, crews attended 10 such fires in the past financial year – double the total from the year before.
Queensland-wide data showed firefighters have responded to 530 fires involving lithium-ion batteries since July 2021, with the number of callouts rising each year.
In the 2023-24 financial year, 183 fires were recorded, and so far in 2024-25, 121 incidents have been reported.
A QFD spokesperson said these incidents are particularly challenging because of the way the batteries burn.
“Lithium-ion battery fires present distinct challenges for firefighters. They burn at extremely high temperatures, release hazardous smoke and gas, and can reignite hours or even days after the initial event,” the spokesman said.
“This means fire crews need to spend longer on site, use specialised protective gear, and monitor the scene long after the flames are out.”
To keep pace, QFD has introduced updated procedures, specialist training, and scientific support to guide crews on the ground.
Authorities have urged residents to change their habits around battery disposal.
Batteries should never go into household bins, where they can trigger fires in waste trucks, transfer stations, and landfills.
Instead, residents are encouraged to use recycling programs such as Recycle Mate or B-cycle, or council drop-off points.
