A major fire at a lithium-ion battery recycling facility in Perth has triggered a HAZMAT emergency warning, sending thick, hazardous smoke across nearby suburbs and forcing residents to stay indoors as emergency crews battle to contain the blaze.
The fire broke out at the Li-ion Energy facility on Burwash Place in Maddington shortly before 2pm on Sunday, rapidly escalating into a dangerous industrial incident due to the large volume of batteries stored inside.
Emergency warning issued as toxic smoke spreads
Authorities issued an emergency alert just before 3pm, warning residents about potentially toxic smoke drifting through the area. People were advised to remain indoors, shut doors and windows, and turn off air-conditioning systems to avoid exposure to harmful fumes.
Large plumes of dark smoke could be seen rising high above the industrial zone, spreading across nearby communities and raising concerns about air quality. Lithium-ion battery fires are particularly hazardous because they release toxic gases and are difficult to extinguish once ignited.
Emergency officials warned that the situation could continue for hours, with smoke lingering depending on wind conditions.
Firefighters forced to retreat as blaze intensifies
The blaze was first spotted at around 1:45pm by Maddington Fire Station crews, who initially attempted to fight the fire from inside the building. However, the intensity of the flames quickly made internal firefighting impossible.
DFES Incident Controller Leigh Bishop said crews were forced to switch to an external strategy to protect firefighters and contain the spread.
“Crews entered to try and do an internal attack, but it quickly became clear that wasn’t going to be achievable,” he said, noting that safety became the top priority.
Approximately 80 tonnes of lithium-ion solid-state batteries were inside the facility, creating extreme heat and volatile conditions that made the fire highly unpredictable.
Up to 50 firefighters were deployed to the scene, supported by WA Police, St John Ambulance, and environmental authorities, working in intense heat and heavy smoke.
Injuries reported as emergency response escalates
One man was taken to Fiona Stanley Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation, while another man was treated at the scene by paramedics.
Emergency services have not reported life-threatening injuries, but officials stressed that lithium battery fires pose serious risks due to toxic emissions and the potential for sudden flare-ups.
Fire likely started in pallet of batteries
While the exact cause remains under investigation, early information suggests the fire may have started in the middle of a pallet of batteries stored inside the warehouse.
Facility owner Justin Manton said workers attempted to extinguish the fire when it first appeared but were forced to evacuate almost immediately as the flames intensified.
The rapid escalation highlights the dangers associated with lithium-ion batteries, which can ignite suddenly and burn at extremely high temperatures even when de-energised. More insights into these risks are outlined in lithium-ion battery safety research.
Millions in losses as business faces major setback
The financial damage from the fire is expected to be severe. Mr Manton estimated losses of more than $7 million in stored batteries, along with extensive structural damage to the facility.
The business, which has been operating for around two years, had a large shipment of batteries prepared for export at the time of the incident.
“We’ve got well over $7 million in lost goods, and then there’s the building,” he said, adding that recovery would be difficult but not impossible.
Many of the batteries stored at the site were reportedly de-energised and stacked for shipping, yet still posed a significant fire risk under certain conditions.
Transport disruption and road closures
The fire also caused widespread disruption to local infrastructure. The nearby Armadale train line was shut down between Cannington and Gosnells, affecting commuters on Sunday afternoon.
In addition, sections of Albany Highway were closed to allow emergency crews to operate safely and manage traffic around the incident site.
Authorities urged residents to avoid the area unless absolutely necessary as firefighting efforts continued.
Firefighting effort expected to continue into the night
Emergency crews are expected to remain on-site for several hours, with operations likely to extend well into the night as they work to fully extinguish the blaze and prevent re-ignition.
Officials said the focus remains on containing the fire, protecting surrounding buildings, and monitoring environmental impacts, particularly air quality.
The incident underscores the growing global challenge of managing lithium-ion battery storage and recycling safely, especially as demand for these batteries continues to rise across industries.
Authorities will continue to assess the situation as investigations into the cause of the fire begin once the site is deemed safe.
Make Swikblog your go-to source on Google for reliable updates, smart insights, and daily trends.
