Battery Charger Likely Cause Of House Fire

On Sunday, Nov. 30 at 11:38 p.m. Hedrick Fire was called to 102 Buckeye St. in Martinsburg for a possible house fire. Hedrick Fire was en route at 11:44 p.m. Hedrick Fire arrived on scene and initiated an interior fire attack. Sigourney Fire was requested at 11:56 p.m. for mutual aid request of water and manpower. Sigourney Fire was en route at 11:56 p.m. as they had firefighters at the station anticipating the request.

      The fire appeared to start in the back of the garage area. A battery charger and battery were found at the point of origin. It appears that they were charging the battery and the cord came into contact with the charger clamp and the battery terminal. This in turn created a sparking effect that ignited the particleboard on the wall. Fire filled the garage and went up into the attic.

     Read the full article in the Dec. 10 edition of the News-Review.