Dramatic fire torches car in Pasco, prompting charging device caution

A dramatic car fire in Pasco was worsened by the use of lithium-ion batteries to charge several devices in the vehicle, fire officials said.

Franklin County Fire District 3 responded the car fire Sunday morning near Road 44 and Pearl Street in the Riverview area.

Crews brought the fire under control, but several loud explosions were heard. The burning SUV appeared to be parked in a driveway.

The fire department said the cause remains under investigation. However, it discovered that several electronic devices powered by lithium-ion batteries were found being charged with 12-volt chargers.

The discovery prompted a caution to use precautions when charging everyday electronics.

“Lithium-ion batteries are common in many devices we use every day, but they can pose a fire risk if used improperly. Overloading chargers, using incompatible or low-quality adapters, or overcharging batteries can lead to overheating and potential fires,” it said in a Facebook post.