The North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) has released a powerful new video telling the real story of a Calabash family whose garage was destroyed after a lithium-ion battery caught fire while charging overnight.
The six-minute video, “Fire Risk with Lithium Ion Batteries” features interviews with Calabash Fire Chief Keith McGee, the affected homeowners, and State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor. Through their voices and emotional visuals, the video highlights how something as common as leaving a charge plugged in can lead to devastating consequences—and how simple safety steps can prevent it from happening to others. “Lithium-ion batteries are in nearly everything we use—phones, tools, e-bikes, golf carts,” said State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor. “But when they overheat or are left charging unattended, they can ignite quickly and burn hotter than ordinary fires. The Calabash family’s story is a reminder that safety begins with awareness.”
Despite its brief length, the video leaves a lasting impact. In just six minutes, viewers will see how one ordinary morning in a quiet neighborhood turned into a fire emergency—and how firefighters and OSFM are working to raise awareness statewide during Fire Prevention Week, themed “Charge into Fire Safety.” Watch the video now. (Trust us—it’s six minutes that could save your home or your life.)
Key safety reminders from OSFM:
- Always use the charger that came with your device.
- Never charge batteries overnight or when you’re not home.
- Stop using batteries that are swollen, damaged, or overheating.
- Keep lithium-ion batteries away from flammable materials.