Fire Breaks Out at Standard Bank's Roodepoort Offices Due to Lithium-Ion Batteries
A fire occurred at Standard Bank's Constantia office complex in Roodepoort, South Africa, involving lithium-ion batteries supporting the solar power system. The container housing the batteries is located outside the main buildings.
Emergency services were dispatched, ensuring no injuries to employees or customers. Staff evacuated due to smoke, with operations continuing from alternative locations. Firefighters faced challenges extinguishing the blaze, which involved two 300kWh lithium-ion battery racks.
After two hours of conventional firefighting, Fireblock was called to apply specialized Lithium Gel to control the fire. The situation was stabilized, with temperatures maintained at 30°C and no re-ignition.
Standard Bank is investigating the cause of the fire while affirming the effectiveness of current safety measures. They will review safety protocols post-investigation.
