Couple warn against keeping power bank in hot car after it 'smolders' and almost sets vehicle on fire
NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA: A 'smoldering' power bank has caused devastating damage to a couple's car interior in Australia. The couple who were set to go on vacation accidentally kept their power bank in their car and were seconds away from causing a horrible fire. Chris Thorpe, who was traveling with her husband, claimed that she intended to grab the power bank when stepping out of the car but it slipped her mind since her hands were full.
The shocking discovery was made when the couple returned to the car and found the charger "smoldering" - totally destroyed the adjacent seat padding and the center console, leaving a hole in the seat where the power bank was left. Thorpe stated that she wants people to be aware of the risks associated with keeping devices in hot cars in order to prevent a catastrophe, 7 News reported.
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'It was smoldering, not a fire'
It was a "very hot day," according to Thorpe when she unintentionally left the charger in the vehicle. The device overheated while "just sitting there" in the sun and was not even plugged in. “Car temp obviously rose, the sun hitting the power pack . . . boom,” she said. “This is what confronted us. Destroyed front seat, seatbelt, seat covers, console, and black soot everywhere. “It looks bad but it was smoldering, not a fire.” Thorpe claimed that she and her husband were able to extinguish it before it got out of hand. The car is still drivable despite the damage, but the two have issued a "take notice" to other drivers. “Positives: we are OK, van is OK, car is still drivable, I get to be a backseat driver and we have insurance,” Thorpe said. “Just a ‘blip’ in our adventures,” she added.
Possible hazards of lithium-ion batteries
Experts shared cautions about the possible hazards of lithium-ion batteries — used in power banks as the one Thorpe possessed. “When lithium-ion batteries fail they can undergo thermal runaway,” Fire and Rescue NSW said. “This involves violent bursting of one or multiple battery cells, hissing and release of toxic, flammable, and explosive gases, and an intense, self-sustaining fire that can be difficult to extinguish. Warning signs to be on alert include pungent odors, discoloration or blistering of the casing, heating up, hissing sounds, and smoke and fumes," they added. If the battery or gadget begins to smoke or release flames, close the doors, leave the area.
