Lithium batteries, like those in electric cars and cell phones, blamed in dozens of Oahu fires

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – More than a third of Oahu’s accidental fires between 2020 and 2022 involved lithium ion batteries, the Honolulu Fire Department said Wednesday.Of the 167 accidental fires on Oahu during that period, the HFD said 58 involved these types of batteries.However, none of these fires involved fatalities, fire officials said.“Luckily, there have only been minor injuries because of lithium ion batteries,” said HFD fire investigator Kamehalani Ortiz.“And we want to keep it at zero.”Lithium ion batteries are used for a host of electronic products such as cell phones, laptop computers, cordless drills, electric scooters, and even electric cars.The batteries are generally safe but when misused, damaged or stored incorrectly, they can spark a blaze.“If they become damaged, overcharged or overheated, then chemical reactions can occur within the cells resulting…

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