ROXBURY TOWNSHIP, NJ (Morris County) – Lithium-ion batteries on a scooter caught fire Tuesday night in Roxbury Township.
On Aug. 13, at 9:00 p.m., the Roxbury Township Fire Department responded to the 200 block of Center Street, located in the Port Morris section of the township, for smoke coming from the basement, officials said.
Upon arrival, firefighters found smoke on the first floor of a multi-family dwelling. The fire chief then requested Netcong Hilltop Fire Company No. 2, Netcong Fire Company No. 1 for the Rapid Intervention Team and Flanders Fire Co. #1 and Rescue Squad for their tower ladder, authorities said.
An electric scooter was found on fire in the basement of the residence and fire crews were able to pull the scooter outside and extinguish the fire without any extension to the structure. Ventilation of the structure was then completed, officials said.
“A preliminary investigation revealed a malfunction of the lithium-ion batteries on the electric scooter,” authorities said.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommend these tips when buying, charging, storing, and using lithium-ion batteries to help prevent fires:
- Only purchase and use devices, batteries, and charging equipment that are listed by a nationally recognized testing lab and labeled accordingly.
- Use charging equipment that is only compatible with your device. To be safe, use only the charging equipment that is supplied with your device.
- Do not keep charging the device or device battery after it is fully charged.
- Do not put lithium-ion batteries in the trash. Recycling is always the best option. Take the batteries to a battery recycling location or contact your local waste department for disposal instructions.
- Stop using your device if the battery shows signs of damage, such as an unusual odor, excessive heat, popping sounds, swelling, or change in color.
- Only have device repairs performed by a qualified professional.
