Source : Perth Now news
Residents in a Perth suburb have been issued a hazardous smoke warning after a blaze broke out at a recycling centre storing 80 tonnes of lithium-ion solid state batteries.
Flames erupted at Li-ion Energy, a recycling centre in Burwash Place, Maddington, at about 1.45pm on Sunday.
A HAZMAT alert was issued for Kelvin Rd, Westfield St, Pitchford Ave, east of Miller St, North of Aldington St and west of Dalziell and Miller St.
As many as 50 firefighters battled the blaze on Sunday.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services warned people in the area to remain inside with windows and doors closed and air conditioners off due to potentially hazardous smoke in the area.
DFES incident controller Leigh Bishop said crews did an “incredible job” in trying to bring the fire under control.
He said business owner Justin Manton told him he thought he saw the blaze ignite, as per the ABC.
“The property owner did advise me that when they saw the fire initiate, it was in the middle of a pallet of batteries,” Superintendent Bishop said.
“They attempted to extinguish (it), but they removed themselves really quickly just due to the fire intensity increasing as it did.”
Mr Manton said he thought their business would “struggle to get through”.
“[It’s] well over $7m in lost goods, and then there’s a building,” he said.
Mr Manton said the batteries were neatly packed ready for shipment and that he was inside when the flame ignited, and tried himself to extinguish the flames.
“It was something that set fire to the crates around the batteries, it just spread really fast,” he said.
One man suffering from smoke inhalation was taken to hospital and another was treated at the scene.
The exact cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
DFES says the fire was now contained and controlled as of Monday morning.
However, people in the area bounded by Kelvin Rd, Westfield St, Pitchford Ave, and Albany Highway are warned they may still see some smoke during ongoing recovery operations.
