Watch: Portable phone charger explosion caught on camera
A portable phone charger exploded and burst into flames inside a Vacaville, California home, and the incident was caught on camera. The resident was unhurt, firefighters said, as officials warn people to watch portable phone charger risks tied to lithium ion batteries and cheap off-brand power banks.
Key Takeaways
- A portable phone charger exploded beside a woman on her sofa in Vacaville, California, and the blast was caught on video.
- Resident Keri Lynne was not injured; occupants put out the fire before it spread through the home.
- Vacaville Fire Department linked the scare to lithium ion battery hazards.
- Officials urge buying certified chargers (UL or ETL) and avoiding cheap off-brand power banks.
- Warning signs include battery swelling and excessive heat; keep devices off combustible surfaces.
What happened when the portable phone charger exploded?
According to reporting from UPI, the Vacaville Fire Department reposted a Facebook video showing what happened inside Vacaville resident Keri Lynne's home.
The video shows a woman sitting on a sofa in her living room when a portable phone charger suddenly explodes and bursts into flame next to her.
The woman was not injured. The residents were able to extinguish the flames before they spread to the rest of the home.
The sudden blast turned an ordinary living-room moment into a close call, which is why local firefighters shared the footage as a public warning.
Why are firefighters urging people to watch portable phone charger safety?
California firefighters are warning about the dangers of lithium ion batteries after the portable phone charger's explosion was caught on camera.
The Vacaville Fire Department said the incident highlights those dangers and advised people to purchase chargers and power banks only from reputable manufacturers.
"Be cautious of inexpensive, off-brand chargers and power banks sold through online retailers, including Amazon. Look for products with recognized safety certifications, such as UL or ETL," the department's post said.
That caution targets bargain power banks sold online without clear safety certifications.
How can you reduce the risk of a similar battery fire?
Officials also recommended that owners of lithium battery-powered devices keep them off combustible surfaces, always use the proper charging cord, and watch for warning signs like battery swelling and excessive heat.
Those steps are the department's practical checklist for cutting the chance of a sudden fire like the one filmed in Vacaville.
Clips like this often surface in our Bizarre News & Florida Man roundups when everyday gadgets fail in shocking ways.
The takeaway from Keri Lynne's living room is clear: treat heat, swelling, or an uncertified bargain power bank as a reason to stop charging and replace the device.