Fire chief warns Midvale residents about rise in lithium‑ion battery fires

Chief Nathan Kay of the Unified Fire Authority told Midvale City Council members on Sept. 16 that the department is seeing an uptick in fires involving lithium‑ion batteries and urged residents to take specific precautions. "Most families have 20‑60 of these batteries," he said, adding that they "burn hotter and faster" and can reignite, producing toxic smoke.

Kay outlined warning signs of a failing battery—odor, discoloration, excessive heat, deformation, leakage or strange sounds—and advised that residents discontinue use, move devices away from flammable materials, and call 9‑1‑1 if a battery catches fire. He recommended using UL‑listed chargers and the correct charger for each device.

Council members shared local anecdotes underscoring the danger. Council Member Bryant Brown recounted witnessing a semi‑truck carrying lithium‑ion batteries tip over and burn, saying, "Three or four people perished in their cars due to the heat from the fire." Council Member Paul Glover described a friend’s house fire tied to a mismatched mower charger.

Mayor Dustin Gettel and staff confirmed that UFA left informational fliers for distribution and Council Member Heidi Robinson asked staff to share the safety materials on city social media. The department’s guidance focuses on prevention, responsible recycling, and prompt evacuation if a device ignites; residents were reminded that battery fires require immediate emergency response rather than household extinguishing efforts.