WASHINGTON — It wasn’t a charger left plugged in or a candle left burning—it was a cell phone that sparked an unexpected fire on a Capitol Hill porch Thursday morning.
D.C. Fire responded to a small fire on the porch of a six story apartment building just before 9 a.m. in Capitol Hill. The fire was put out quickly and didn’t extend to the apartment. No one was hurt in the fire.
Officials are saying the cause was a cell phone with a lithium-ion battery. They have not said the brand or type of phone. The fire investigation is complete, but hazmat has been called to handle the cell phone.
Cell phone battery fires are not common, but have happened before. Earlier this year, a cell phone exploded in a Northwest D.C. high school, injuring one person.
Lithium-ion batteries are the most popular rechargeable batteries, found in cell phones, laptops, e-bikes and electric vehicles, for example, according to the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI). But fires caused by them are very dangerous, and becoming deadly in some cases with larger battery fires.
FSRI's Take Charge of Battery Safety initiative says to take care when dealing with lithium-ion batteries. Don't use chargers that aren't compatible or not built by the manufacturer. Store batteries away from extreme temperatures and anything flammable. If you have a larger device, such as an e-bike or e-scooter, charge them outside of your home, and never overnight or in your exit path.