PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Two homes were destroyed early Wednesday morning in Mercer County, New Jersey, when an e-bike battery caught fire in a bedroom.
Hamilton Township fire officials said the fire started at a three-story duplex around 2:30 a.m. on the 1400 block of Hamilton Avenue, near Davis Avenue.
It quickly spread to a neighboring two-family home. Officials said the flames were raging on all three stories of each structure.
Two residents and a firefighter suffered non-life-threatening injuries. In all, eight residents were displaced.
After the fire was placed under control, officials determined it was sparked by an e-bike battery charging inside a bedroom.
It is unclear what circumstances led to the battery igniting, but officials are reminding residents to only use devices, batteries and charging stations that have been approved by a nationally recognized safety organization. Only charge one battery or device at a time, they advised, and follow instructions from the manufacturer.
More information on e-bike and e-scooter safety is available from the National Fire Protection Association.