Investigators say lithium-ion battery sparked fire at Hicksville home; 4 residents safe

A fire sparked by a lithium-ion battery caused "extensive damage" to a home in Hicksville, authorities said.

Four residents of the burning home on Spindle Road were able to escape the blaze late Sunday afternoon without injury, Nassau police said.

About 65 firefighters from Hicksville and four nearby departments responded to the 5:50 p.m. fire where they found the residents safely in the street, Nassau Assistant Chief Fire Marshal James F. Hickman said.

Hickman said a preliminary investigation found a lithium-ion battery power tool ignited, causing the fire.

Hickman said investigators believe the tool was "left out in the rain" — and the battery became damaged and ignited. The investigation is ongoing, he said.

"All items that are powered by lithium-ion batteries need to be cared for properly," Hickman said, adding that if a tool is damaged the owner should assume the battery is damaged, as well.

"Always replace lithium ion batteries with original equipment batteries," he said. "Unfortunately, many aftermarket batteries are not as safe as they could be."

While statistics for Long Island were not immediately available, recent studies have found the FDNY and fire departments in San Francisco have responded to more than 660 fires involving lithium-ion batteries since 2019.

In 2023, the FDNY reported 18 deaths and 150 injuries from 268 fires involving lithium-ion batteries.

These batteries allow electric devices and electric cars to last longer, but when they catch fire, authorities have said, they exhibit an explosive quality, burning off all their energy until it's gone. That sudden release of vast amounts of energy is what firefighters say threatens lives and property in rapid, terrible ways.

Fire officials have urged consumers to be aware of the dangers of improper use and storage of this type of battery and the dangers of not adhering to the safety guidelines.

In an online safety guide titled, "Dangers of Lithium-Ion Batteries," the FDNY said:

"Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries have increased dramatically in New York City with deadly consequences. These rechargeable batteries are found in electric bikes and scooters, cars, laptops, tablets, phones and common household devices. Lithium-ion battery fires have caused deaths, serious injuries and devastating damage to property around the city."

Fire officials stress that consumers should always purchase and use devices certified by national recognized testing UL (Underwriters Laboratory) approved provider — and should always follow all manufacturer instructions for charging and storage. They urge using the correct battery, cord and power adapter, and to make certain batteries are kept away from heat sources.

Officials also warn against using aftermarket or generic batteries and chargers — and urge consumers never to plug charging batteries into a power strip or some other overloaded outlet.

The issue is not only about consumer awareness but extends to entities that manufacture knockoff versions.

In early February, a Queens business was cited for manufacturing and repairing "extremely dangerous and deadly" illegal lithium-ion batteries, FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said at a news conference.

Wilson Scooters, on Queens Boulevard in Forest Hills, was building battery packs from individual lithium-ion batteries and replacing old ones in violation of the state’s fire code, Kavanagh said.

"These are what we call Frankenstein batteries and we have been warning people not to build these for months," she said. 

Some of the noncertified batteries ignited during the removal process and had to be extinguished, Kavanagh said at the time.

Last month, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law eight bills aimed at regulating how lithium-ion batteries are sold while increasing emergency responder training and consumer awareness around e-bikes and safe battery use.

The legislative package is the result of fires sparked by lithium-ion batteries in electronic scooters and e-bikes statewide, including in Nassau and Suffolk counties. 

The issue is a national problem.

In Tulsa, Oklahoma, last week, a dog chewing through a lithium-ion battery pack caused the device to explode, setting the house on fire, according to the Tulsa Fire Department. The dog and other pets escaped safely.

Also, all lanes of the 15 Freeway in Baker, California, were closed for nearly 48 hours when a semi-truck hauling lithium-ion batteries overturned and caught fire, blocking a main route to Las Vegas.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”