A malfunctioning e-bike charger was the probable cause of a garage fire at a Potomac home on Friday morning, resulting in around $5,000 in damage to the house, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) officials.
Firefighters were dispatched to the home on Maidens Bower Court at around 2 a.m. for the report of a house fire, MCFRS Assistant Chief Public Information Officer David Pazos said on social media.
Upon arrival, fire and rescue crews located the fire in the home’s garage, Pazos said. The home’s occupants were awakened by the smell of smoke and called 911.
According to MCFRS Chief Public Information Officer Pete Piringer, one adult was treated by medics at the scene for non-life-threatening injuries.
No residents were displaced.
County fire department officials have warned owners of electric bikes and scooters about the possible fire hazard related to device charging. Lithium-ion batteries are commonly used to power electric bikes and scooters but can overheat, catch fire or explode.
Piringer recommends e-bike owners to never leave the devices unattended while charging, such as leaving them overnight and to never block or charge the e-bike near an exit.
