Mazda RX-7 Caught Fire Due to Trickle Charging of Lithium-Ion Battery in the Trunk

      **Lancaster Township Fire Department**

      

      Lithium-ion battery fires are well-known for being challenging to put out, and the issue extends beyond just electric vehicles. A recent incident involving the owner of a 1982 Mazda RX-7 highlighted this, as a lithium-ion 12-volt battery persisted in burning once ignited.

      This event occurred on March 25 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Firefighters arrived shortly after 8 p.m. in response to a report of a vehicle on fire in a driveway. The coupe was initially in the garage when the fire broke out; however, the owners quickly detected the smell of smoke. They promptly disconnected the trickle charger from the battery and pushed the car into the driveway to prevent the fire from spreading to their home. Unfortunately, the trickle charger may have been a contributing factor to the fire.

      In general, trickle chargers are effective for lead-acid, NiCad, and NiMH batteries; however, they are not appropriate for lithium-ion batteries. This is because they can deliver a consistent charge to the battery regardless of its current state, which can harm the lithium-ion cells if they’re already fully charged. While the trickle charger has not been definitively identified as the cause of the fire, it is a strong possibility.

      Nonetheless, extinguishing the fire proved to be quite difficult. The owner used two small dry-chemical fire extinguishers on the flames, and firefighters attempted to use water; however, the battery continued to burn even after being taken from the trunk and placed on the ground.

      Images shared on Facebook by the Lancaster Township Fire Department reveal that the RX-7 suffered considerable fire damage, primarily in the trunk. Fortunately, it appears that the flames did not reach the engine, raising hopes for the vehicle's restoration. If the car had a voice, it might respond with a nonchalant “been there, done that” as it has already experienced a fire once before. The owner informed firefighters that he has been restoring the RX-7 for over 17 years, yet there is little information about the previous fire incident or the extent of the damage it caused.

      What can be learned from this incident? Always keep a fire extinguisher in your garage and ensure it is capable of handling potential fires.

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