A Ryde technology repair shop is urging people not to ignore swollen lithium-ion batteries after an iPad burst into flames moments after it was brought into the store.
iFix Local, based on Union Street, says the iPad arrived with a raised screen – a common sign of a swollen battery.
Within seconds of being placed on the counter, one of the battery cells ignited, sending flames around 5ft into the air. As staff attempted to move the device onto the floor, another cell exploded.
The fire was quickly contained using a bucket of sand kept on site specifically for lithium battery incidents.
In a post on social media, the business said it has only experienced a similar incident once before in its 15-year history, involving a mobile phone battery around 3 times smaller than the iPad’s.
Staff have highlighted that conventional fire extinguishers are not effective at stopping the chemical reaction inside a failing lithium-ion battery. Instead, they say covering the battery with sand or dirt can help contain the flames and prevent burning debris from spreading.
The incident has prompted the shop to remind customers not to ignore warning signs such as a swollen battery or a screen lifting away from the device.
Although the business says the vast majority of swollen batteries do not catch fire, it warned that if such a failure occurred inside a home or vehicle, the consequences could be far more serious.
Residents who notice a device becoming swollen, overheating or showing signs of battery failure are advised to stop using it and arrange for it to be assessed or safely disposed of as soon as possible.
