Charging laptop sparks blaze that burns through US home, firefighters say

Officials recommend not charging a device under a pillow, on a bed or a couch and avoid placing batteries in direct sunlight. — Photo by Bram Van Oost on Unsplash

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, ecigarettes, toys and more, according to the US National Fire Protection Association.

“These batteries store a large amount of energy in a small amount of space,” according to the organisation, 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 organisation.

Officials recommend not charging a device under a pillow, on a bed or a couch and avoid placing batteries in direct sunlight. – The Charlotte Observer/Tribune News Service