A fire Monday at Prairie Rose Lane in Gaithersburg left two adults displaced. One cat died and two cats were rescued.
According to Pete Piringer, Public Information Officer for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services, the fire originated in the basement, and a plastic storage bin and lithium batteries may have initiated the fire.
Update (230p 4/3) Prairie Rose La, Gburg, Origin/Cause, basement workshop area, plastic storage bin, likely involved lithium batteries; Damage >$100K; smoke alarm alerted residents, delay notifying FF (tried to fight fire) FFs rescued two cats, 1 died; 2 adults displaced https://t.co/NsuR4tsWF8 pic.twitter.com/muFfjnrdQQ
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) April 4, 2023
The damage is estimated at more the $100,000. A smoke alarm alerted the residents, according to MCFRS.
On Twitter, Piringer is warning residents about lithium batteries:
🔋Lithium Battery Safety 101 @MontgomeryCoMD amount & use of Lithium Ion batteries is growing much faster than most people’s knowledge of their fire safety. Here’s your ‘one-minute’ read. #DYK @mcfrs has responded to several recent fires/explosions associated w/ batteries https://t.co/irFctKXH31 pic.twitter.com/3cpYhXTcEh
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) April 4, 2023
🛵YES, your e-bike battery can start a fire!
Lithium ion batteries–commonly found in everything from cell phones & laptops, to e-bikes, scooters, & electric cars–can store large amounts of energy. Improper care, charging & storage of batteries can result in fires. @mcfrs tips: pic.twitter.com/xcZabdcLDO— MontgomeryCo(MD)Fire (@mcfrs) October 29, 2022
Photo: Pete Piringer
