EWA BEACH, Hawaii (KHON2) — The Honolulu Fire Department has classified an Ewa Beach residential building fire as “accidental.”
The building fire happened on Sunday, May 11, around 6:30 p.m. when a working fire was found within a single-story residential building on Edgewater Drive.
Upon arrival, HFD said firefighters secured a water supply and commenced a defensive fire attack to bring the fire under control just after 7 p.m.
After further investigation, an HFD investigator said the fire was caused by “the thermal runaway of an electric bodyboard lithium-ion battery that was recently charged.”
The fire displaced four residents, who were found outside the building on the day of the incident.
All residents received treatment from Honolulu Emergency Medical Services and one resident was transferred to The Queen’s Medical Center – West Oahu.
According to HFD, two pets were lost in the fire.
The total damage is estimated at $628,000.
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HFD advises the public to only use the manufacturer’s original charging equipment and follow charging guidelines precisely.
Officials added that you should inspect batteries regularly for damage, swelling or deformation.