An electric bicycle’s battery started a fire that damaged an Ann Arbor home’s garage and required the rescue of two cats on Tuesday, officials said.
Firefighters were called at about 2:20 a.m. Tuesday to a home in the 1000 block of Ravenwood Street near M-14 and Dexter Road for a report of a fire, according to authorities.
Crews arrived and found a home’s attached garage on fire, they said.
Firefighters contained the fire quickly and kept the flames from spreading to the rest of the house, officials said.
However, heavy smoke and carbon monoxide spread throughout the home because the door leading into the living area from the garage was open, firefighters said. Officials said the concussive force of the batteries exploding blew open the door.
First responders searched the home and found two cats, one of which was in respiratory distress, they said. Firefighters said they provided oxygen to the pet, and both animals were taken to a veterinary hospital for treatment.
Investigators said the homeowners were not home at the time of the fire, but had received an alert from the home’s motion-activated interior security cameras.
Officials said they reviewed video footage of the incident and saw that an electric bike’s battery appeared to have an internal chain reaction called thermal runaway, and heated up to ignite a fire.
Authorities said the e-bike was not charging at the time of the incident.
“This incident serves as an important reminder that lithium-ion battery fires can occur even when devices are not actively charging,” Ann Arbor Fire Department officials said in a statement. “Residents are encouraged to follow manufacturer recommendations for storage, charging, and use of battery-powered devices.”
cramirez@detroitnews.com
X: @CharlesERamirez
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Two cats rescued after e-bike battery sparks Ann Arbor house fire
Reporting by Charles E. Ramirez, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
