NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — A lithium battery that overheated while charging sparked a fire inside a unit at Diamond Head Condos Wednesday night, according to firefighters.
Crews responded around 8:45 p.m. and found smoke in a residential hallway. Inside the affected unit, smoke extended down to the floor, prompting a second alarm.
The homeowner told firefighters that a lithium battery became excessively hot while charging. The battery was placed on a chair, where the heat continued to build until the chair caught fire, according to the account provided by fire officials.
Crews located and extinguished the fire, keeping it contained to the single unit.
Smoke in the hallways and heavy water from the activated sprinkler system forced much of the building to evacuate. Firefighters ventilated the building and helped residents retrieve belongings.
New Smyrna Beach Fire Department, Volusia County Fire Rescue, Edgewater Fire Rescue and Port Orange Fire Rescue responded.
Battery warning signs
The U.S. Fire Administration urges people to stop using lithium-ion batteries if they become excessively hot, swell, leak, give off an unusual odor or make odd noises.
The agency recommends using the manufacturer-provided charger and keeping spare batteries away from anything that can burn. Lithium-ion batteries should be taken to designated collection sites rather than placed in household trash or recycling bins.
Officials did not provide information about injuries or when residents were allowed to return.
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