Local News

A teenager’s laptop overheated on her bed Thursday night, causing the computer’s lithium-ion battery to burst into flames.

Lakeville fire officials credited a local teen’s quick thinking in preventing a tragedy Thursday night when her laptop burst into flames at her Montgomery Street home.

According to the Lakeville Fire Department, a 17-year-old girl was in her bedroom just before 9 p.m. when she heard a “pop” sound and saw her laptop engulfed in flames on her bed. The girl unplugged the laptop and ran out of the room to get help just before a smoke alarm went off.

A family member called 911 and firefighters and police arrived at the home seven minutes later. During the time it took first responders to arrive, family members used bedding to smother the fire. 

Fire officials said smoke was billowing from the home when responders arrived. Firefighters entered the house and removed the laptop, bedding, and mattress. They said the fire started after the girl’s laptop overheated on her bed, causing the lithium-ion battery to go into thermal runaway.

The battery ignited with such intensity that the fire quickly burned into the mattress. Firefighters used a handline from outside the house to fully extinguish the fire.  

Crews ventilated and metered the house to confirm the air quality was safe for the family to return. They also used thermal imaging devices to see if there was any extension of the fire, but none was found. 

Concerned about reignition, firefighters took the laptop and the battery back to the Lakeville station and placed them in a hazard container. 

“Department members would like to commend the quick thinking of the young lady who first reacted to the fire, her quick action likely prevented a small fire from becoming a large loss incident,” Lakeville fire officials said in a Facebook post.

Officials also said the family’s pet cat, Thomas, was able to avoid the danger and evacuate. 

“Unfortunately, Thomas is an indoor cat and the family was fearful that he was lost to them. We are happy to report that Thomas was located and is safe and sound,” fire officials said. 

“We would also like to recommend that laptops be stored on a hard surface to allow for proper ventilation and cooling,” fire officials said.