Compact battery jump starter fire

[notanlines]

Friends in an Airstream trailer in our RV park were awakened yester morning early to a fire started by their compact battery jump starter. It was plugged in recharging in one of their cabinets above the sink. Very, very fortunate for them that they awoke in time. Their fire extinguisher was handy and only smoke damage. I have included a picture.....I thought maybe some of you might think twice about having one of these anywhere near your trailer.

[rwmurphy15]

Thanks for the info. Happy everyone is safe and no major damage to the camper.

[chuckster57]

Good to hear no injuries or major damage. I have to wonder if having it charging while "in a cabinet" may have been a contributing factor.

[old timer]

I don't like to charge anything in a closed cabinet. That goes for cell phones to lap tops. They get hot when you charge them. Glad it wasn't worse.

[notanlines]

Actually this was just laying in an open roll-top cabinet, but point is well-taken about charging or having anything electronic in an enclosed space.

[JRTJH]

I'm not sure what "brand" of battery charger that was, or where it was made, but there are some scary reports of fires caused by lithium ion batteries. It seems all types of products are involved from 787 aircraft to the latest in hoverboards. There have been countless "lithium battery" recalls in consumer products through the years, from laptops to rechargeable vacuum cleaners.

I wonder if this is another "isolated incidence" of another product with a lithium ion battery issue? Good that nobody was hurt, and I also don't like recharging lithium batteries in a closed space and certainly don't leave them plugged in and unattended. They often get "hot enough to drop" if you pick them up during charging......

[SAABDOCTOR]

Here is my take. I fly large r/c electric air planes. all powered by Li ion Li poly batteries. I never charge them In an enclosed space always on the fire proof surface and never left alone to charge. It doesn't take much of an impact to cause a fire when reghargeing. You can't imagen the fire one of these power packs make when they go up. The people wre very lucky as that pack harneses a lot of current. Those jump packs work great but do not be tempted to throw them in your trunk or the storage compartment in the camper. Put the in a box with some foam for them to rest on. that has worked for me for years.. Be safe and have a very Merry Christmas and Happy new Year!