Summer Brings Increased Risk of Battery Fires

This morning, June 1, 2026, at approximately 4:30 a.m., the MCESD#2 Fire Department responded to a house fire. Upon arrival, crews found thick smoke coming from the attached garage. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, keeping damage to a minimum.

MCESD#2 and the Montgomery County Fire Marshal's Office remind residents to follow safety precautions when using, storing, and charging batteries.

Press Release from MCFMO:

Lithium-ion battery fires predictably spike during the summer months. Extreme heat and direct sunlight accelerate battery degradation, triggering "thermal runaway", an uncontrollable, intensely hot chain reaction.

Early Monday morning, a Montgomery resident woke up to a burning smell in their home. As they searched for the source of the smell, they opened the door to their attached garage and discovered a rapidly growing fire on a shelf, already spreading to nearby combustibles and starting to catch their car on fire. Fortunately, Firefighters responded quickly and were able to control the fire before it spread to the rest of the home. An investigation into the cause of the fire revealed that it started at a battery charger on a shelf in the garage where the homeowner’s 40 volt lithium batteries were recharging.

Seasonal lawn work and the growing popularity of battery powered yard equipment brings an increased risk of lithium battery fires. Often these fires break out in garages or storage buildings while the batteries are being charged. Here are a few safety tips to help keep your family safe.

• Use the charger that came with the device or use 1 from a reputable supplier.

• Follow proper charging and battery usage guidelines. Lithium-ion batteries should be charged and stored in a cool, dry place, and not left charging for too long.

• If a lithium-ion battery-powered device is noticeably hot while it’s charging, unplug it.

• Minimize the exposure of lithium-ion batteries to extreme temperatures, especially when charging.

• Routinely inspect lithium-ion batteries for cracking, bulging or leaking.

• When charging a large lithium-ion-powered device, such as an electric bike or scooter, do not place it in a way that blocks an exit route.