Charging laptop sparks blaze that burns through Maine home, firefighters say
A devastating house fire in Maine was ignited by a simple, routine habit: charging a laptop.
Firefighters on April 3 extinguished a fire in Gorham, a town just 10 miles west of Portland, that was caused by a charging laptop left on a bed, according to a Facebook post from the Gorham Fire Department.
“Fires caused by charging and faulty batteries are on the rise all over the country,” firefighters said.
Lithium batteries supply power to many devices including smartphones, laptops, e-cigarettes, toys and more, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
“These batteries store a large amount of energy in a small amount of space,” according to the organization, and “can overheat, catch fire or explode.”
Many major airlines no longer accept luggage containing lithium batteries — whether it be checked or carry-on — for fear they could overheat and pose a fire hazard in flight, according to the organization.
Officials recommend not charging a device under a pillow, on a bed or a couch and avoid placing batteries in direct sunlight.
This story was originally published April 8, 2022 at 9:22 AM with the headline "Charging laptop sparks blaze that burns through Maine home, firefighters say."
