After hearing clicking and hissing, Alexandra Anaya moved the wheelchair to her driveway where it burst into flames.
HOLLYWOOD, Florida — An electric wheelchair burst into flames outside a Florida home Sunday, and no one was hurt thanks to a homeowner’s quick-thinking.
Alexandra Anaya said she heard a clicking noise coming from the wheelchair, which she got at a thrift store, as it charged.
She realized the wheelchair was hot to the touch, unplugged it and took it into her driveway where it wasn’t near anything flammable. Within minutes, it sparked and caught fire.
“Eight seconds later it exploded into a ball of fire,” Anaya told WTVJ. “I couldn’t believe it, I really couldn’t believe it exploded in that manner and with that amount of force, I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Her reaction to the sound prompted praise from the Hollywood, Florida fire department.
“Instead of ignoring it, she immediately moved it outdoors where it exploded, saving her house and her family from catastrophe, and then called for help and that decision prevented a dangerous lithium battery fire,” the fire department wrote alongside video of the fire.
The fire department said she was using a “non‑manufacturer charger,” which likely caused an overload or overheating to the chair.
The department is using the situation to highlight some lithium-ion battery tips:
Immediately stop using a device if you hear clicking, popping or hissing, or see it swelling.Move the device to a non‑combustible area (if safe to do so).Use the correct charger for the product: cheap or incompatible chargers can lead to overheating.Check the device’s battery for excess heat while charging.Never leave charging batteries unattended.Call 911 if you see smoke or significant overheating that could start a fire.