Officials share cause, overheated lithium-ion batteries, of fire involved in Boston firefighter Bobby Kilduff’s death

The home fire Boston firefighter Bobby Kilduff was responding to when he died in May was caused by overheated lithium-ion batteries that were being stored improperly, city officials announced Wednesday.

Robert T. “BK” Kilduff Jr., 53, died May 23 while responding to a fire at 18 Treadway Road in Dorchester. The Rescue Company 2 firefighter fell from a third-story window and was critically injured.

Investigators have determined that the fire began in an enclosed porch at the back of the home, Boston Fire Department Commissioner Rodney Marshall said at a press conference. The fire was caused by lithium-ion batteries that overheated while being stored in plastic toolboxes on the porch.

“While we have completed the fire’s origin and cause investigation, the broader investigation into the line-of-duty death of a firefighter killed remains ongoing,” Marshall said.

Two investigations into Kilduff’s death are still underway — one led by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, and one led by the Boston Fire Department’s Board of Inquiry, the fire commissioner said. These investigations will holistically examine the circumstances surrounding his death, and their findings will be shared with the public after completion.

“We will allow these processes to proceed without speculation or premature conclusions,” Marshall said.

Firefighter Kilduff made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the city of Boston, Mayor Michelle Wu added. The city has a responsibility “to ensure that we understand exactly what happened at the fire and what we can learn from it.”

City officials emphasized the importance of charging, handling and storing lithium-ion batteries safely. Marshall said the Boston Fire Department has seen an increase in fires caused by this type of battery in recent years.

Lithium-ion batteries are now used in a range of everyday objects, from power tools to cell phones to e-scooters, the fire commissioner said. People often have as many as a dozen in their home.

“These batteries power so much of our daily lives, but also carry very serious risks,” Wu added.

Marshall warned that failure to charge or store these batteries as recommended by the manufacturer poses serious fire hazards.

Lithium-ion battery safety tips:

• Only purchase batteries certified by a nationally recognized testing company, such as Underwriters Laboratories.
• Never use batteries for a purpose other than what they were manufactured for, such as to power a different device.
• Always charge batteries on a hard, stable surface using the charging cable provided by the manufacturer.
• Avoid charging devices on soft surfaces, such as a couch or bed.
• Routinely check batteries for signs of swelling, leaks, corrosion or other types of damage.
• Never charge batteries that may be damaged.
• Store batteries at room temperature and out of the path of direct sunlight.
• Do not store batteries in cars.
• Always dispose of batteries via lithium-ion battery drop-offs, not through home trash or recycling services.
  
  Story source: MassLive.com
  
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