Lithium ion-powered portable generator fire displaces Rockville family | wusa9.com

ROCKVILLE, Md. — A family is without a home after a portable generator powered by lithium ion batteries caught fire, setting their Rockville house ablaze Tuesday night.

Firefighters responded to the 11800 block of Rocking Horse Road, near Red Fox Road and off of Boiling Brook Parkway, around 8 p.m. Tuesday after a call reporting heavy black smoke coming from a house. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer said the fire took over the rear of the house, engulfing the back porch. About 75 firefighters came to help put out the blaze.

At the house, firefighters said they found several fire hazards, including the portable generator with charging lithium ion batteries, solar panels on the roof and yard, loose wiring, hoarding conditions and other batteries. Investigators confirmed that the fire was caused by the portable generator.

Tuesday's sweltering heat lingered at the scene. Around 8:20 p.m., Piringer said the temperature at the house was 92 degrees with 65% humidity. The radiant heat of the fire melted some of the siding of a neighbor's home, he said.

The fire was put out fairly quickly, Piringer said, but was complicated the conditions found at the house. Montgomery County code enforcement will look into the solar panels, Piringer said.

Two adults and three children who live in the house were evacuated by firefighters. No one was hurt in the fire. The family is displaced. Piringer said there was significant damage to the house and estimated it will cost under $100,000 to repair.

Electrical Safety Foundation International reminds residents to never use a generator in an enclosed space and keep it at least 20 feet away from the home. More tips for generator safety can be found here.