Portable Phone Charger Fire On Market Street

At 11:58 p.m. on November 14, Potsdam Fire was dispatched to a fire alarm at 43 Market Street. Upon arrival, Potsdam Police advised that a small fire had occurred. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and, after examining the scene, determined that a battery portable phone charger had caught fire while it was on a bed. The resident was asleep next to the charger at the time and pushed it onto the floor upon waking up to the fire. Even after extinguishment, the battery and its contents remained above 200 degrees and caused damage by burning through the carpet of the apartment. Potsdam Rescue responded to evaluate the resident for a burn with the individual refusing transport to the hospital..

This incident serves as a reminder that although technology continues to improve, it is not without risks. Battery related fires are becoming more common. When charging devices, place them on a solid surface, away from sleeping areas. Avoid charging electronics on or under beds or other soft surfaces as they act as insulation and do not allow the heat to dissipate as designed. Use only certified charging equipment to help reduce the chance of similar incidents.