Five cars destroyed by fire after Lithium-ion battery ignites in parking lot - VIDEO - Sydney Airport

Published: 12 Sep 2023 02:45pm

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) investigators today have determined a Lithium-ion battery has caused a fire which destroyed five cars at Sydney Airport last night.

Firefighters were called around 8:30pm to a parking lot on Airport Drive, Mascot, where flames had engulfed a luxury electric car before spreading to another four motor vehicles.

A battery, which had recently been detached from the luxury car and stored in the lot, was quickly identified as having sparked the blaze.

FRNSW and Aviation Rescue Firefighting Service extinguished the fire.

Experts from FRNSW's Fire Investigation and Research Unit (FIRU) attended the scene and are continuing to piece together circumstances surrounding the incident.

Research officers from FRNSW's Safety of Alternative and Renewable Energy Technologies (SARET) team have also inspected the aftermath.

These insights will assist them in continually develop best practice for emergency response to lithium-related fires, and informing industry on how to manage the risks associated with emerging technologies.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Video footage of the Sydney Airport scene is available for download - https://vimeo.com/863440026/1e808122b1 [external link]

Updated: 12 Sep 2023 02:50pm

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Stations nearby

BOTANY Fire Station

3 Banksia Street, Botany NSW 2019

MASCOT Fire Station

139-141 Coward Street, Mascot NSW 2020

ARNCLIFFE Fire Station

100-106 West Botany Street, Arncliffe NSW 2205