Wayne Hotel Fire Was Started By Lithium Ion Batteries, Officials Say

WAYNE, NJ — A fire in a Wayne hotel room earlier this week was caused by a lithium-ion battery that the occupant was charging, said a township fire company.

On Monday at 10:22 p.m., Fire Companies #3 and #4 were dispatched to the Residence Inn Wayne on Nevins Road, after getting a report of smoke in a first-floor room.

Wayne Police officers had started to evacuate the occupants, and officials said the first floor hallway was filled with heavy smoke. The Assistant Chief of Fire Company #4 located the fire inside one of the rooms, and used an extinguisher to put it out.

Multiple engines and other fire apparatus came to scene to make sure the fire had not spread, and to clear the hallway of smoke.

"It was determined that the occupant of the room was charging lithium-ion batteries which caught fire," said the Preakness Volunteer Fire Company #4 in a statement Wednesday.

"We remind you that charging lithium-ion batteries can result in fires if they are left unattended."

The Wayne Fire Bureau will continue investigating the fire. No injuries were reported.

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are used to power many electronics, toys, household appliances, hand tools, and electric vehicles (including scooters, bicycles, and cars).

The New Jersey Division of Fire Safety issued safety guidelines last June on properly charging and storing these batteries. Officials emphasized that lithium-ion batteries pose a risk of overheating, catching fire, or even exploding if they are handled improperly and/or exposed to high temperatures.