INDIANAPOLIS -- Firefighters believe a fire that caused thousands of dollars in damage and displaced four families was caused by an overheated lithium-ion battery in a toy.
Firefighters were called to the Mariner Apartment on Harbor Drive just before 9 a.m. Sunday.
A woman living in the home told investigators that she saw smoke coming out of a furnace/storage room and evacuated the building.
READ | Lithium-ion batteries can be dangerous if not used correctly
The fire damaged one unit but three others suffered smoke and water damage making them uninhabitable at this time. As a result, four families were displaced by the fire - 7 adults and 3 children.
The fire caused an estimated $100,000 in damage to the property and fire investigators believe it started with an overheated lithium-ion battery that was inside a toy stored in the furnace room.
Everyone made it out safely.
7 Adults & 6 Kids displaced from Apt. Bldg. at 2242 Harbor Dr. after crews say overheated lithium battery in toy overheated & caught nearby combustibles on fire. No injuries $100K damage pic.twitter.com/MykQjTuPsv
— IFD NEWS (@IFD_NEWS) December 17, 2017
Lithium-ion batteries are lightweight and powerful enough to use in something as small as a phone, but they also come with a risk.
As the uses for lithium-ion batteries increase, we've also seen multiple instances of the danger they can pose - including e-cigarettes exploding, hoverboards blowing up and even cell phones and headphones catching fire.
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Tips to keep you safe while using devices with lithium-ion batteries:
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions
- Only use the batteries that were designed for your particular device
- Only use a charging cord that came with your device or is made for your device
- Charge your device on a hard, flat surface. Never charge your device on carpet, furniture or on top of clothing or bedding
- Keep your battery and device out of direct sunlight/store at room temperature
Stop using your device if you notice any of the following:
- An odor coming from where the battery is
- Extreme heat
- Change in shape
- Leaking
- Odd noises
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