Three people were taken to Dunedin Hospital yesterday after accidentally inhaling chemical vapour from a lithium ion battery at a South Dunedin store. Lithium ion batteries are lightweight, high-density rechargeable energy stores used in electric devices from e-bikes, e-scooters and electric cars to vapes and power tools. A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said appliances from St Kilda and Dunedin were called to Cash Converters in King Edward St about 12.30pm, where they found the battery "gassing". "I’m not sure if it was damaged, but sometimes if lithium ion batteries get hot, they start gassing off chemical vapour of some sort from the battery. The Fenz spokesman said the batteries were becoming more prevalent and Fenz occasionally attended incidents of gassing.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 17, 2026 15:41 UTC