TOSHA investigating Amaero plant explosion, experts say this is reminder of dangers of lithium batteries.

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- A state agency says they are beginning their investigation into an explosion at a Bradley County plant Wednesday .

TOSHA says they began that investigation Thursday morning after two people suffered severe burns from a lithium battery explosion at the Amaero plant at the Spring Branch Industrial Park.

It is unclear the condition of those two that were injured as of Thursday evening.

We are also learning more about the dangers of lithium batteries, which are in many everyday devices we use including our cell phones.

Chemical experts like Dr. Judy Jeevarajan of the Electrochemical Safety Research Institute say that if the batteries are not properly handled, the batteries can overheat causing a chain reaction called a thermal runway, which can become dangerous quickly.

Dr. Jeevarajan explained, “Things can happen where there is a catastrophic event after that. If there’s a big fire then it can propagate and depending on the size of the battery, it can propagate very fast. That’s why lithium ions need to be handled and used very carefully whether it be an industrial setting or in a residential setting and so on.”

She says that making sure your battery is certified with the right charger is the main way to prevent thermal runaways in your home or workplace.