Li-ion Energy: Toxic smoke alert reissued for areas around Maddington lithium battery recycling facility

A fresh alert has been issued after toxic smoke once again began billowing from a lithium battery recycling facility in Maddington that went up in flames on Sunday, leaving one man hospitalised.

At the time, residents were warned to stay inside their homes to avoid the hazardous fumes after a fire at Li-ion Energy began releasing toxic plumes of smoke.

The warning was issued just before 3pm but was downgraded to a general alert several hours later, before being lifted on Monday morning.

But on Wednesday at 11.27am, the warning was reissued as smoke began to pose a health risk to surrounding areas.

“There has been a flare up of the HAZMAT Fire on Burwash Place in Maddington,” the alert read.

“There is a fire in a recycling facility resulting in potentially dangerous smoke blowing in a north easterly direction in the area bounded by Kelvin Road, Westfield Street, Pitchford Avenue and Attfield Street.

“As a precautionary measure, people in the area should remain inside, out of the smoke or fumes, with doors and windows closed.”

By 1.30pm a Department of Fire and Emergency Service’s spokesperson said there was no active fire in the building.

They said residual heat within the batteries had triggered flare-ups, generating increased smoke, but DFES crews were able to bring conditions under control.

Firefighters remained on scene just before 2pm on Wednesday.

Li-ion Energy, located near the intersection of Albany Highway and Burwash Place in Gosnells, recycles and reconditions lithium-batteries.

One man in his 40s was taken to Fiona Stanley Hospital for smoke inhalation, while another man was treated at the scene on Sunday.