The Drakenstein Fire & Rescue service, along with the Drakenstein Farm Watch Fire and Rescue team (DFW), managed to contain a fire at a residential property in Aandbloem Street, Paarl on 3 May 2023. The fire was caused by an 8KW lithium backup battery pack that ignited.
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The quick response from Drakenstein Fire & Rescue and DFW crews saved the house by containing the blaze and preventing the fire from spreading throughout the property.
A nearby resident who noticed smoke coming from the building reported the fire. She immediately called the DFW commander, and through the radio network and DFW control room, the local municipal fire brigade, along with a team from the private DFW fire group, were dispatched.
The fire was contained in the garage, and crews could see the lithium power bank still igniting even though it was disconnected. This incident highlights the changing nature of firefighting scenarios as new dangers are discovered in the burning of batteries and polycarbonate materials.
The damage was limited to the garage, but smoke had spread throughout the house. This incident serves as a reminder for homeowners to take the necessary precautions while using backup battery packs to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
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Picture: Drakenstein Farm Watch / Facebook