<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A lithium-fuelled </span><a href="http://9news.com.au/fire" rel="" target="" title="fire"><span>fire</span></a><span> has erupted at a </span><a href="http://9news.com.au/perth" rel="" target="" title="Perth"><span>Perth</span></a><span> recycling plant, sending toxic smoke across the city's south-eastern suburbs for hours.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Batteries inside the Maddington workshop fuelled the flames as the co-owner was rushed to hospital and residents were warned to stay indoors. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Flames filled workshops at Li-ion Energy as thick toxic smoke spiralled into the air about 1.30pm today, prompting a hazmat warning for parts of Perth.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We had a bunch of lithium batteries ready for export, we don't think the fire was caused by the batteries," founder Justin Manton said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It was something that set fire to the crates around the batteries, it just spread really fast."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The owners were inside when the blaze ignited in one of the neighbouring workspaces.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"[It's] well over $7 million in lost goods, and then there's a building," Manton said.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/lithium-fuelled-fire-sparks-hazardous-air-warning-for-perth-suburbs/498a9a4a-14db-4a72-bfd5-ef5d8b8e59fd" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Burwash Place in Maddington was closed as fire crews got to work.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We know we're dealing with approximately 80 tonnes of solid-state batteries," Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA Superintendent Leigh Bishop said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Just last year the owners spoke to 9News warning about the dangers of battery fires, never imagining they'd be dealing with one themselves on this devastating scale.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Yeah it's pretty shocking, one of the things we just try to avoid the most is fires and to have it happen here is disappointing, and a bit tragic," Manton said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Late this afternoon crews appeared to get the upper hand but were set to remain on scene into the night. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The collapsed roof and walls of a workshop, along with twisted and smoking metal were signs of the damage.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It'll be a hard one, it'll be pretty hard to overcome this," Manton said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Nearby residents were told to stay inside because of the hazardous smoke.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 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