PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A shed on West Housatonic Street burned up on Wednesday evening when a battery overheated.

 

Deputy Chief Daniel Garner said the call came in at 7:59 p.m. for a reported structure fire at Soldier On. 

 

Engine 1 found the large, open-air shed, about 500 square feet in size, fully involved with fire. The crew advanced a hoseline to attack the blaze and Tower 1 arrived with a second line to protect the main Soldier On building from fire impingement and radiant heat exposure.

 

Engine 3 shifted tasks to checking for potential inured bystanders. Engine 5 returned to cover the city.

 

The shed fire was under control within 10 minutes and determined fully extinguished within 30. The main building, which stands 20 feet from the shed, sustained minimal damage to windows and roof soffit trim.

 

The Fire Investigation Unit arrived and determined cause as a lithium ion (Li-ion) battery that powered an e-bike. The bike was found charging, and an event occurred which started a "thermal runaway" of one or more Li-ion fuel cells. 

 

This rapid-fire progression quickly spread to the entirety of the shed and threatened the exposed building. PFD credits Soldier On's occupants for quickly calling 911 and promptly following their evacuation protocols.

 

There were no reported injuries from this fire and the scene was turned over to the facility directors.

 

Pittsfield Fire offers this link to this National Fire Protection Association page with e-bike and scooter safety tips.