News / Toxic smoke from battery fires a hidden – but major – risk, says TT Club

© Christopher Freeman |

The already daunting prospect of fighting battery fires on ships, in warehouses and on aircraft is further complicated by chemicals which ‘off-gas’ during such fires, according to TT Club.

During a battery fire, gases are released which can pose both an explosion risk and the threat of death if inhaled. But these appear as black smoke, meaning that first responders might be unaware they are breathing toxic chemicals.

These include carbon monoxide, methane, hydrogen cyanide – infamously, the main component of ...