Exploding Smartphone Ignites Burning Bed In North Shore House Fire

TOPSFIELD, MA — A charging smartphone exploded and caught a bed on fire — burning a resident and causing about $5,000 in damage — at a Topsfield home this weekend.

Topsfield Fire Chief Jenifer Collins-Brown said late Saturday afternoon crews were called to the home for a reported fire. They arrived to find bedding burning in the house and were able to extinguish it, check for extension and ventilate the house in about 45 minutes.

She said the person burned declined a trip to the hospital and commended the young people in the home who "recognized a dangerous situation, called 911 and evacuated the home."

The Topsfield Fire Department and State Fire Marshal's Office are investigating the fire. Middleton and Georgetown crews helped provide support during the response.

Chief Collins-Brown said the fire is a reminder of safety steps people should take when charging and storing devices that use lithium-ion batteries.

Residents are advised to store lithium-ion batteries and the devices they power at room temperature whenever possible and not leave them in a hot car, in direct sunlight, or in freezing temperatures.

Residents are also advised not to charge them near combustible materials — such as bedding —and to store ebikes and scooters outdoors whenever possible.

Manufacturer-made battery cords, charging stations and power adapters should be used in charging with generic chargers linked to fires and other malfunctions.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)