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A malfunctioning hoverboard ignited a residential fire Friday afternoon (June 26), prompting a heavy mutual aid response after local crews were initially tied up at a traffic accident across town.
Firefighters responded at 3:11 p.m. to the 2300 block of Michael Manor Lane in Arlington Heights, located just south of Palatine Road between Schoenbeck Road and Windsor Drive, after a homeowner reported an electric hoverboard had caught fire inside the house.
Because Arlington Heights fire crews had been dispatched to a minor crash on Interstate 90 a minute earlier, several neighboring fire departments were initially called to fill in. Once the highway incident was deemed minor, those units redirected to the burning home.
Arriving at 3:17 p.m., firefighters found heavy smoke and active flames on the second floor. Crews deployed a hose line and extinguished the fire by 3:24 p.m., containing the damage to the immediate area surrounding the hoverboard.
All occupants evacuated safely, and no injuries were reported.
Fire officials noted that the home’s smoke alarms failed to activate during the incident. The department reminds residents to replace alarms that are non-functional or more than 10 years old. Arlington Heights provides free smoke alarm replacements for residents, who can schedule an appointment by calling 847-368-5450 or visiting www.vah.com/smokealarm.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, though officials issued a warning regarding the hazards of lithium-ion batteries. The batteries pose significant fire risks and can ignite if overheated, damaged or worn.
Fire officials advise consumers to inspect battery-powered products routinely and use only manufacturer-approved chargers. Warning signs of a failing battery include a sweet odor, hissing or popping sounds, sparks, or damaged cords.
Assisting at the scene were firefighters from Palatine, Mount Prospect, Prospect Heights and Buffalo Grove. Crews from Schaumburg, Wheeling, Des Plaines and Glenview provided station coverage.
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