How IONSNIFF Could Have Made a Difference

What If There Had Been a Warning? How IONSNIFF Could Have Prevented the Banksia Grove Fire

When disaster strikes without warning, the results can be devastating. The recent fire in Banksia Grove, Perth — caused by a failing lithium-ion battery in a garage — destroyed a home, destroyed vehicles, and left a neighbourhood shaken. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but the damage is severe and costly. PerthNow

What if there had been a chance to intervene before the fire started?

That’s where IONSNIFF comes in — a device capable of detecting the early chemical and gas emissions that occur in lithium-ion batteries when thermal runaway begins. Let’s walk through how IONSNIFF could have changed this outcome:

🔍 Early Warning: Detecting Thermal Runaway Before Fire

• Battery at End of Life: The article says the battery was not being charged but was at “end of operational life” — meaning internal degradation was probably underway. These degraded batteries often leak electrolytes, produce internal short circuits, or have failing components that generate gases or heat.

• Pre-Fire Emissions: Before the flames, such batteries often begin emitting vapours or off-gassing electrolytes (smoke, gas, or chemical signature). Traditional smoke alarms or heat sensors usually don’t pick up these emissions until it’s already burning.

• IONSNIFF's Role: If IONSNIFF had been installed in the garage, it would have been monitoring continuously for those pre-ignition chemical signatures. Even if the battery wasn’t in use, the off-gassing or leaking compounds would trigger an alert early.

⏳ What the Early Alert Could Have Enabled

• The homeowner or occupants could have seen a warning (sound, app notification, or alarm) well before ignition, given time to inspect or remove the battery.

• Perhaps move the defective battery outside, to a safer area; or call for battery servicing or safe disposal.

• Possibly limit the fire to the battery itself or small area rather than letting it spread — preventing roof collapse, vehicles destroyed, and total loss of property.

💡 Broader Impacts & Takeaways

• Preventing property loss: Even stopping or slowing a fire saves tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage.

• Reducing danger to people: Early detection gives occupants more time to get out safely.

• Environmental protection: Fires release toxic smoke and pollutants; controlled disposal instead of burning is better.

• Raising awareness of battery health: Even batteries not plugged in can be dangerous if worn or damaged.

The Banksia Grove fire is a tragic reminder that lithium-ion batteries aren’t risk-free, even when they’re not in active use. With IONSNIFF, there’s an opportunity to shift from reactive response (fire happened, then we respond) to preventative protection (detect signs early, avert disaster).

If you own or store lithium-ion batteries — in garages, end-of-journey facilities, workshops or at home — consider installing IONSNIFF. Because sometimes, a warning seconds before ignition is the difference between total destruction and peace of mind.