Lithium battery explodes in Eltham home

Table of Contents

• Family forced from house after garage battery fire sparks overnight blaze
• Fire safety advice after lithium battery incidents
• Practical steps for households
• Conclusion
• FAQs

Family forced from house after garage battery fire sparks overnight blaze

Lithium battery explodes in Eltham home after items left charging in a garage ignited a fast-moving fire that tore through a family house overnight. The explosion sent a couple and their two young children fleeing into the street and left four vehicles destroyed as flames spread into bedrooms.

Neighbours and emergency services responded quickly after three loud booms woke the street. The family escaped unharmed but shocked, with one neighbour telling reporters, "In all my life, never seen this happen." Last night the house burned for roughly 90 minutes before crews brought the situation under control.

Fire Rescue Victoria investigators determined the cause was lithium batteries that overloaded. It is understood an e-scooter and several power tool batteries were charging in the garage when they caught fire, which then spread rapidly to the kids' bedrooms and nearby vehicles.

About 30 firefighters attended the scene to extinguish the blaze. The family returned the following morning to salvage what they could, but much of the home and four cars were already lost to the inferno.

"There were three loud booms... Then I heard the sirens and came out and just pandemonium in Henry Street here."

Fire safety advice after lithium battery incidents

Fire Rescue Victoria has issued clear safety guidance following this event. Their tips focus on preventing battery overheating and limiting fire spread if a cell fails.

• Avoid mixing and matching chargers and batteries — use the manufacturer-recommended charger for each battery.
• Unplug devices when fully charged to reduce the risk of continuous overcharging.
• Charge batteries in a cool, dry place away from flammable materials like beds, lounges or carpet.
• Check batteries regularly for signs of damage or overheating and stop using them immediately if they feel hot or swollen.

These precautions are especially important for common household items such as e-scooters, power tools, laptops and portable power packs. The event in Eltham is a reminder that lithium-ion cells can fail suddenly and violently if damaged, improperly charged, or left in unsafe conditions.

Practical steps for households

After any battery incident consider updating your home safety plan. Make sure escape routes are clear, smoke alarms are working, and charging areas are supervised when possible. Neighbours said the first thought for them was the children, prompting renewed focus on quick evacuation plans.

Store spare batteries in original packaging or a non-combustible container, avoid charging multiple large batteries together, and don’t leave high-capacity batteries charging unattended overnight in enclosed spaces such as garages.

Conclusion

The Eltham fire underscores how everyday items can become dangerous when charging practices are unsafe. While the family was fortunate to escape, the physical and emotional toll of losing a home and vehicles is severe. Following straightforward safety steps can reduce the risk of similar incidents.

FAQs

• What caused the fire?

  Investigators found lithium batteries that overloaded — reportedly an e-scooter and power tool batteries charging in the garage.

• Were there any injuries?

  The family escaped without physical injury, though they lost property and were understandably shaken.

• How quickly did the fire spread?

  The blaze burned for around 90 minutes and spread from the garage to children's bedrooms and four cars before being controlled by about 30 firefighters.

• What immediate safety steps should I take at home?

  Stop charging batteries unattended, use proper chargers, charge in cool dry areas away from flammable materials, and check batteries for heat or damage.

• Who reported the story?

  Coverage and footage were provided by 7NEWS Australia; the on-scene report was by Jordan Quinn for 7 News.

The information in this article has been adapted from mainstream news sources and video reports published on official channels. Watch the full video here Lithium battery explodes in Eltham home | 7NEWS