An after-market lithium-ion battery caused a minor explosion in San Antonio, injuring two and damaging a garage.
SAN ANTONIO — Two people suffered minor injured during a “small explosion” caused by an after-market lithium-ion battery at a house on the northeast side Friday, according to the San Antonio Fire Department.
The explosion happened in the 7500 block of Spanish Dagger just before noon.
When crews arrived, they found the garage door had been blown off the front of the house. There was no fire at the time, but crews found burn marks throughout the structure. The family reported there was a charging station for after-market lithium-ion batteries in the garage. They reportedly overheated and caught fire, which spread to several small propane tanks.
Luckily, the damage did not extend to the home, fire crews said.
Two people were home at the time of the explosion and they suffered small cuts to their feet. They were treated by EMS on the scene.
Joe Arrington with the San Antonio Fire Department had a warning about the after-market batteries.
“It is always important to purchase the batteries meant for the products they are used for, whether its cordless tools, e-bikes, whatever it is that uses those batteries,” Arrington said. “When you go on the internet and you buy those cheaper after-market ones, they are not tested, they are not rated.”
Arrington said they have seen a recent increase in fires started due to these types of after-market batteries that are not tested.