NIST reported that these fires can produce a jet of flame that reaches up to 2,012° Fahrenheit, nearly the heat of a blowtorch, in approximately one second. This hazard differs from traditional residential fires that start more slowly, which allows for smoke to reach a smoke alarm before the fire spreads.

During the research, NIST mechanical engineer Andy Tam said he noticed that a battery’s safety valve would break right before the fire started and make a small “click-hiss” sound that resembled opening a bottle of soda. Lithium-ion battery manufacturers design this safety valve to break when internal pressure builds up and can no longer expand due to the battery’s hard casing.