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House fire started by lithium-ion battery
A DeKalb County family has a somber warning for others this holiday season after a fire ignites at their home. Firefighters confirmed a lithium-ion battery and charger started the fire.
DECATUR, Ga. - The Robsons' home is covered from floor to ceiling in toxic black soot.
The couple and their 16-year-old son were eating dinner at the residence on Pineview Drive in Decatur at around 7:30 Sunday night when the teen noticed a strange smell and went to investigate.
"And then this really thick black smoke started coming up through the vents in the house, and we realized it was a really serious situation," Christie Robson told FOX 5.
The family made it out of the house before the fire crews arrived.
Fire investigators determined the fire started in the basement. A lithium-ion battery and battery charger sparked the blaze.
"These were batteries for RC cars, radio-controlled cars, which probably a lot of boys and girls are getting for Christmas this year," Robson explained.
She's speaking about the ordeal to warn other families about the dangers associated with lithium-ion batteries and chargers.
"If we ever purchased that again, you know, we'll make sure that we have the fire extinguishers, the fire blanket, that alarms are working. "We got really lucky, but the fire chief said that there are a lot of people that don't get so lucky in fires like this."
The fire occurred just days after FOX 5 alerted viewers about a major recall of the HTRC C240 lithium-ion battery charger due to safety concerns.
Experts warn lithium-ion batteries can be dangerous and cause fires and explosions when they overheat.
The Source: This article is based on original reporting by Deidra Dukes and previous FOX 5 Atlanta reports.