Firefighters say that a massive fire Saturday night in Northampton County may have been started by a lithium-ion battery.
According to Roanoke Wildwood Volunteer Fire Department, firefighters responded to a call about a house fire on Millstone Road at 10:40 p.m. Saturday. When they arrived, they found the home completely engulfed and that the fire had spread to a shed, the surrounding woods and a liquid propane gas tank that was actively venting. The house was a total loss.
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Firefighters said they had to take a defensive approach to make sure the fire the fire didn't spread further and were assisted by the N.C. Forest Service, as well as Gaston Fire & Rescue, the Long Bridge Volunteer Fire Department, Northampton County EMS and Halifax County EMS.
After an investigation from several agencies in Northampton County as well as the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and North Carolina Department of Insurance, the fire is believed to have originated in a shed that was storing lithium-ion batteries that were charging. Firefighters blieve the fire started due to a battery malfunction.
Roanoke Wildwood Volunteer Fire Department Chief Lorenzo Wilkins said he was on the scene from 10:40 p.m. until 4:30 a.m., and said crews continued to respond to hot spots throughout the day Sunday.