Batteries were missing missing pieces on base and top. I did say I only took the three pics. I just wanted to show what happens when you don't follow advice and common sense.I agree with what you say regarding the likelyhood of batteries touching when the damage is somewhere in the middle. If insulation is missing at the base like in the photo, it's very possible that it could touch the mod housing with a jolt. If that battery is not the first in the series (i.e. at the same potential as the housing), it would cause a short quite easily.