Birmingham Scrapyard Sees Surge in Lithium Battery Blazes
A family-run scrap metal business in Birmingham has issued an urgent warning to local households after experiencing a significant increase in fires caused by lithium-ion batteries. Harry Taroni, who operates the fourth-generation Taroni's scrap yard in Aston, revealed that his facility dealt with approximately 25 such incidents during 2025 alone.
Christmas Day Emergency Highlights Growing Threat
Appearing on BBC Morning Live, Mr Taroni detailed how these "dangerous" batteries are sparking blazes when incorrectly disposed of by residents. He described a particularly alarming incident on Christmas Day, where a heat camera detected a potential threat at 7am, prompting an immediate emergency response.
"We had between 15 and 25 fires in 2025," Mr Taroni explained. "The biggest one last year was the Christmas Day fire. It was about 9 minutes from detection to getting emergency services involved."
Why Lithium Batteries Pose Unique Dangers
The scrap yard owner emphasised the particular hazards of lithium-ion batteries in recycling environments. "They don't necessarily need external forces to ignite - they can do it themselves," he warned. "That's why they're so dangerous. Once broken and left on a pile in a scrap yard, it can take 24 to 48 hours for them to actually ignite."
Mr Taroni believes the problem is escalating as products containing these batteries reach the end of their lifespan. "All these products that people have bought over the years that may have lasted two or three years are now being thrown out," he noted. "The general public haven't been made aware of the correct way to recycle lithium-ion batteries yet."
Fire Service Launches Safety Campaign
Matt Ling, who leads the fire investigation team at West Midlands Fire Service, supported these concerns during the BBC programme. He discussed their 'Fast, Fierce, Fatal' campaign highlighting the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries.
"Lithium-ion batteries are a relatively new addition to our households," Mr Ling stated. "The issue isn't the batteries themselves, but what happens when something goes wrong - if they're damaged, overcharged, undercharged, or if you use the wrong charger."
He explained the particular danger of thermal runaway, where batteries "involve a very rapid propagation fire involving flammable and toxic gases that lead to that fire growing very fierce and reaching extreme temperatures incredibly quickly." Mr Ling added that even the smallest lithium-ion battery contains enough energy during thermal runaway to create a substantial fire.
Household Incident Demonstrates Domestic Risks
The programme also featured Ian, a supermarket worker who experienced a lithium battery fire in his home. After purchasing new rechargeable headphones and leaving them charging on a wooden table, he heard what he described as a "ginormous bang" followed by an explosion and flash.
"There was smoke coming up and the actual sofa arm had a little fire on it," Ian recalled, illustrating how these incidents can occur in domestic settings.
How to Dispose of Lithium Batteries Safely
Both Mr Taroni and fire service officials stressed the importance of proper disposal:
- Never place lithium batteries in general recycling or normal household bins
- Utilise drop-off points commonly found at major supermarkets and electronics retailers
- Visit local household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) for safe disposal
- Check the Recycle Your Electricals website to find nearest facilities by postcode
The consistent message from Birmingham's scrap industry and emergency services is clear: as these batteries become more prevalent in household products, public awareness about their safe disposal has never been more critical.
