Batteries may have sparked costly SE Bend house fire

A fast-moving, smoky fire caused $200,000 damage to a southeast Bend home on Tuesday, and investigators said later it may have been sparked by some model airplane batteries that were just plugged in to recharge.

Bend firefighters were called around 12:10 p.m. to the reported garage fire at 60808 Grand Targhee Drive. The first engine crew arrived within seven minutes, finding the garage well-involved and a large Ponderosa pine burning in the front yard, said Battalion Chief Dave Howe.

Howe later said crews were able to stop the fire before it entered the home’s living quarters, but it extended into the attic, destroying the roof.

Central Oregon fire dispatchers sent U.S. Forest Service and Oregon Department of Forestry crews were sent to help keep the flames from spreading or threatening other structures. Sunriver Fire Department crews covered the district with an ambulance while the fire was being fought.

The homeowner told NewsChannel 21’s Katie Higgins he spotted the fire in the attic and that it might have been sparked by lithium polymer batteries for remote control planes.

Later, Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki said the roof damage above the garage made it unsafe to enter for a full investigation, but it appeared to be accidental and possibly related to the pair of lipo (lithium polymer) batteries homeowner Robert Wren said he plugged in to be charged minutes earlier.

Within 10 minutes, he heard sounds from the garage and found it full of smoke.

It was the third major structure fire in the Bend area in the past two days.

Derlacki said lipo batteries and other lithium-style batteries are very common these days for everything from cell phones to electric bikes to model airplanes/drones. These compact batteries allow for long life and are lightweight, but they come with some very serious fire hazard warnings.

All manufactures have similar warnings on their packaging and websites. Many hobby-related sites (airplanes, drones, electric bikes, etc) have warning letters from national organizations warning members of the safety of lithium batteries.

Here are some tips for keeping safe with lithium type batteries:

– Don’t leave the battery in the charger once it is fully charged. The battery charger will flash on and off with a red indicator light every 20 seconds when the battery is fully charged. Overcharging the batteries will not increase the performance and could lead to damage.

– Never charge with an unspecified charger or specified charger that has been modified. This can cause breakdown of the battery or swelling and rupturing.

– Ensure the charger you are using is the correct voltage and amperage for the battery you are charging. Over charging with too much voltage can cause the battery to overheat and lead to a fire.

– Never attempt to charge a battery which has been physically damaged.

– Do not use a battery in an appliance or purpose for which it was not intended.

– Never disassemble a battery as the materials inside may be toxic and may damage skin and clothes.

– DO NOT place a battery in fire; this may cause the battery to rupture. The electrolyte is very flammable and if an ignition source exists, then fire and even an explosion could result.

– If the battery gets wet, discontinue using it and dispose of it properly. Wet lithium batteries can rupture and release poisonous and flammable gases.

These batteries CANNOT be handled and charged casually, such as has been the practice for years with other types of batteries, Derlacki said. The consequence of this practice can be very serious resulting in major property damage and/or personal harm.