Charging hoverboard battery blamed for Philadelphia house fire

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Officials say a hoverboard battery is to blame for a house fire in Philadelphia's Mayfair section early Thursday morning.

Four people were able to escape the blaze.

A man who escaped told Action News that the hoverboard was charging in the basement.

The fire started around 2 a.m. at a home on Magee Avenue.

Alexandra has lived in the home for nearly two years.

"It is very bad. The damage is terrible," said Alexandra, who asked that we not use her last name.

Alexandra allowed Action News to get a look at some of the damage, which included blackened debris and charred steps to the basement, where she says the fire began.

"I just packed everything to move out," Alexandra said. "All of my stuff is broken, food, everything is gone."

Alexandra explained that around 2 a.m., two adult family members and a friend were asleep on the second floor when she heard the alarm. She went downstairs and saw smoke coming from the basement.

"I tell everybody, 'Wake up! Wake up! The fire, fire!' I grabbed my dog. We go down, and we called 911. And then we knocked on neighbors' doors to wake them up and come outside," she said.

The smoke also consumed Kelly Simpson's adjoining home.

"Came outside, it was scary because we didn't know what kind of fire it was or what was going to happen. Our house was full of smoke," said Simpson, of Mayfair.

Everyone was able to get out safely.

The American Red Cross is assisting.

Officials are reminding people to make sure they're using certified products, not to leave lithium-ion batteries charging overnight, and to make sure you're disposing of them safely. You can take them to a city facility or other drop-off location.