Lipo Fire Took My House Thursday Night

[rballz]

I was charging a 2200 mah 3s pack in my garage.

I checked on the charge, which was nearly done, and the charger was at 1400 mah in and counting. I did not take note of the amps.

15 minutes later (estimate) all the smoke alarms went off in my house.

Small fire had started on my work table where I was charging.

I ran to get the fire extinguisher in the kitchen. By the time I got back the entire garage was in flames and beginning to spread through my attic.

My wife and I got our 5 year old daughter and 2 dogs out. We didn't have time to get our pet ferret and pet ball python out - they died.

It's worth noting that even though my extinguisher read good on the gauge - it did not work.

Check your safety gear...don't charge unattended, and if you must please take precautions to ensure that if a pack does go, it will not cost you your home.

http://ozarksfirst.com/content/fulltext/?cid=239142

[Bam Bam]

That's some sad news!
Never a good thing to hear. lucky you saved your family.
This is yet another reminder of why to be very careful when charging batts! did you have a lipo charge bag?

[hbmtr]

i am so sorry for the loss of your house

[3D1]

Sorry to hear that.

[rballz]

I'm trying to share my recent loss and story to spread awareness.

BUT I do not want to create fear. Easily could have been started by something else.

I'm not sure how this happened, but here are some things to note:

1) My balance board was on loan to my dad. This removed a big layer of security. The charger could not properly tell what was happening with the pack.
2) 3 year old lipo
3) no lipo bags, just had the pack sitting on my work bench
4) The pack was old chemistry, 1C only - the pack I charged beforehand can go up to 5c, but I charge it at 2c...perhaps I charged the fire starting pack at 2c on accident.

There are paypal donation threads for us at helifreak.com and rcgroups.

Empire Hobbies with the help of Hyperion are trying to get free lipo bags to those that are donating to us.

Many people upon reading about my story are changing how they charge, a few people have found that their fire extinguishers also are not working even though the gauge reads ok, I believe this is helping to save other people from the same mistake.

[BOSSIER_ROB]

A reminder that it can happen to any of us at any time. Sorry for your loss. It's sad to see our hobby cost us everything. I'm very glad to see that everyone got out ok.

[stommerd27]

Sorry for your loss.

That is the prime reason I use a steel box. It is actually an old hot wheels box. But if the battery starts on fire it will stay in the box. Might stink up the house but it won't take it.

Sorry again

[js/rc]

Very sorry to hear of your loss. Glad the family all got out. I hope you will be able to rebuild & get back on your feet. I have had two friends that had Lipos catch on fire in the past, before the technology & chargers got better . They got to them before they exploded & just had a fire starting that they got out ok.
Wish you the best.
Thanks, John

[66stang]

Sorry for you loss, very tuff way to learn! I will be even more careful, thanks for sharing your story.

[bobrev06x]

wow man, sorry to hear this. i'll be watching my lipo charging alot closer than i have in the past, thats for sure. i hope you guys get back on your feet as soon as possible. also glad everyone got out safely ( people ). building can be repaired and replaced....lives cannot.

[sun.flyer]

So sorry to hear and see of your loss Richard. So glad you were able to get the most important things in your life out safely though.

Tim

[3dAndrew]

Sorry for your loss! Now i truly understand why my dad chooses to charge our lipos inside cinderblocks....

[VooDoo Child]

I had one blow in my house,i was very lucky to catch it fast,cause they get cooking FAST....A good friend of mine was not so lucky Christmas Eve,he lost his house Sorry for your loss.

[leelee]

Sorry for your loss. Lipos can be dangerous and it is bad to see something like this open our eyes. It could happen to any of us so this is nothing to play with. The companies that are helping you out with this deserve praise. Yes the lipo bags they talk about can be expensive but well worth it. I have found a cheap solution if anyone is interested. You can go to any military surplus store and purchase ammo cans in various sizes. I use a 7.62 ammo can but they will also have 50cal. ammo cans for those of you who have lots of batteries. Simply get some depron foam and use foam safe CA to line the inside of the can for the batteries protection. Simple and cheap. I have attached some pics of the one I use.

[Judge]

Very sorry to see this. Terrible news.

When I charge my lipos I put them in a Pyrex dish and cover them with a large Ziploc freezer bag filled with sand. If something bad happens the bag melts and the sand smothers the fire. I also NEVER walk away from a lipo on charge. I charge where I can keep eyes on the whole time.

Good point about making sure you fire extinguisher is up to date. They do go out of date and there is a reason that fire departments inspect them in public places, for just that reason.

Hyperion and Empire are to be commended for doing what they are!!