A Florida couple is trying to rebuild after a lithium-ion battery fire ripped through their mobile home in Zephyrhills.
The blaze wiped out most of what they owned, including a prosthetic leg and a lift essential to daily life, WFTS-TV reported.
Here's what to know
Crews with Pasco County Fire Rescue were called to the property at about 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 31 after a fire ignited in a shed next to the residence.
Investigators determined that a lithium-ion battery sparked the blaze.
Steve Sims told WFTS-TV that he had just walked his dog, Zeus, and taken him to the dog park before returning to find his home burning.
From where he first saw it, Sims believed the flames were coming from somewhere else.
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"I saw a little fire, and I thought, that looks like a solo stove, but it has to be behind my place. It can't be our place," he recalled.
Rebecca Sims got out safely, but the fire destroyed nearly all of the couple's belongings, including her prosthetic leg, according to the outlet.
The blaze also ruined the lift she uses to move around the home. Rebecca lost her left leg after a blood clot.
Neighbor Rick Vawter witnessed the fire as it intensified.
"Flames were rolling out of the carport at that point in time, smoke coming out of all the eaves. It was rolling pretty good by then," he said.
More background
Lithium-ion batteries power cordless drills, blowers, trimmers, phones, laptops, e-bikes, and backup energy systems because they are lightweight, rechargeable, and efficient.
Battery storage can help homes and communities stay resilient during blackouts and extreme weather.
But damaged, overheated, or improperly charged units can become dangerous.
Steve Sims explained that the batteries charging in the shed were for landscaping equipment.
"Electric blower and a weed-eater and drill, they had the same batteries and I had those plugged in. I had switched the battery in the morning because they come and they mow on Mondays," he said.
After seeing the flames on his Ring cameras, Sims grabbed a hose and tried to fight the fire, though he later realized that it would have been safer to back away sooner.
What can be done?
Safe battery handling includes using the charger designed for the device, avoiding overcharging, keeping batteries out of direct heat, and storing them away from clutter or flammable materials when possible.
It can also help to charge tools and devices in well-ventilated areas instead of packed sheds or near exits, and to stop using batteries that are swollen, cracked, unusually hot, or otherwise damaged.
Working smoke alarms can also make a major difference if something goes wrong.
Vawter already stepped in to help, creating a GoFundMe page for the couple to cover necessities and rebuilding costs.
"We've had too much bad luck," Steve Sims remarked.
Where can I learn more?
The Zephyrhills fire was a stark reminder that lithium-ion batteries can become dangerous when they overheat, charge improperly, or fail in enclosed spaces.
These articles look at that risk in several scenarios, from concerns about flame-retardant chemicals to newer safety features for batteries at home and on the road.
• Scientists warn that flame-retardant chemicals increase health risks without stopping lithium-ion battery fires.
• Home tinkerers learned repurposed vape batteries can spark if mishandled around cluttered workspaces.
• Jackery says its SolarVault system uses automatic fire suppression safeguards to reduce battery risks.
• Scientists working on EVs have built a game-changing safety feature to curb overheating.
Battery safety is about more than convenience or backup power. For families trying to recover after a fire like this one, those details can matter a great deal.
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