Name: Family escapes house fire suspected to involve lithium batteries
Uploaded: 2025-12-08T06:42:35.322Z
Duration: 1 min 51 s
Description: A family in Caroline Springs, Melbourne, lost their home to a fire suspected to involve lithium batteries. Firefighters controlled the blaze in 40 minutes, and authorities warn of rising battery-related fires.

A family in Caroline Springs, Melbourne, lost their home to a fire suspected to involve lithium batteries. Firefighters controlled the blaze in 40 minutes, and authorities warn of rising battery-related fires.

Caroline Springs

A fire destroyed the Fabian family's home in Caroline Springs, Melbourne, after a loud bang was heard in their garage. The family escaped with minor injuries, though the father, Troy, remains hospitalized with burns. Thirty firefighters brought the blaze under control within 40 minutes. Authorities suspect lithium chemistry batteries may have been involved and have reiterated warnings about the dangers of certain batteries, urging consumers to use reputable brands and monitor charging. The family lost nearly all their possessions, including Christmas presents, but are thankful for their safety. A GoFundMe page has been established to support the family.

Family escapes house fire suspected to involve lithium batteries

Shaken, the Fabian family assess the destruction to their home and salvage some precious possessions. Our passport, some pictures, wedding photos. After they fled the flames last night, with just the clothes on their back. It's everything, this is our entire. The family of four heard a loud bang in their garage at around 7.40 last night and found fire taking hold. Everyone initially escaped, but the father, Troy, ran back inside to make sure everyone got out. He's a hero. His son, Riley, followed him and got him out of danger. So I went out, he wasn't there, went back inside, and yeah, just grabbed him, got him out. Neighbours also rushed to help as smoke billowed across the suburb. It was really intense and quite scary actually. Thirty firefighters brought the blaze under control in 40 minutes. There's a thought that lithium chemistry batteries were involved in the fire. It comes as fire authorities warn about the dangers some batteries can pose, urging people to buy reputable brands and monitor charging. As fire services we are seeing an increase year on year of responding to lithium ion battery fires. As for the Fabians, Troy remains in hospital with burns to his arms and face. The family cat, Taki, is still missing, but has been sighted by neighbours. The family has lived here for 13 years and while they have lost almost everything, including presents for Christmas, they're just thankful they all made it out and everyone will be okay, including the cat. I don't know, I'm still... someone needs to pinch me, I don't know. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family put presents under the tree. Harvey Biggs, 10 News.

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