Fire on East Side Caused by Lithium Ion Battery Malfunction

Two households are displaced following a fire on Independence Lane.

A resident heard popping and saw smoke coming from a small rechargeable appliance that was plugged in inside their home. The resident took the appliance out to their second-story balcony in an attempt to throw the appliance onto the yard. Before he could throw it over the railing, the appliance fell apart and burst into flames. Thankfully, the occupant was not injured.

Both residents of the unit evacuated, closing all doors behind them, and pulled the fire alarm on their way out to alert neighbors to also evacuate the building.

Medic 8 and Engine 8 arrived on scene within three minutes of dispatch. Medic 8 searched the first floor as Engine 8 began fire attack outside the building. Ladder 8 searched the second floor to confirm all occupants were out. Engine 8 proceeded inside the residence via the balcony to continue fire attack until all fire was extinguished.

The MFD Fire Investigation Team determined the fire was the result of compromised lithium ion batteries inside the rechargeable appliance. Thermal runaway, a process that occurs when lithium ion batteries catch fire, accounts for the fast fire growth and the difficulty in extinguishing the fire.

Fire damage was contained to the original residence, but the residence below the fire unit was affected by water and is also displaced. Initial damage estimates are around $100,000.

Firefighters rescued one cat from the fire unit, but a second cat remains missing. The missing cat is believed to be alive but hiding well.

The American Red Cross responded to assist the displaced occupants.