A garage fire believed to be linked to a lithium-ion battery caused more than $30,000 in damage to a home on Tersana Drive on Tuesday evening, according to fire officials.
The Easton Fire Department was dispatched at approximately 6:39 p.m. for a report of burning wires in the roadway. While crews were operating at the scene of a downed, live power line, firefighters observed smoke coming from a residence at 60 Tersana Drive.
Around the same time, at approximately 6:50 p.m., the homeowner called 911 to report smoke in the garage. The home was occupied at the time of the fire.
Fire Chief Klem said firefighters launched an aggressive interior attack and were able to contain the fire to the garage, preventing it from spreading to the rest of the house.
A total of 25 Easton firefighters responded, deploying three engines to the scene while maintaining a fully staffed fourth engine on standby at headquarters.
Mutual aid was provided by the Long Hill, Weston and Fairfield fire departments. Easton EMS and the Easton Police Department also responded.
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Easton Building Department were notified.
According to the Office of the Fire Marshal, the fire appears to have originated in the area of a large lithium-ion battery used for yard equipment. The battery was mounted on a wall charger and was actively charging when it was observed burning by the initial interior crew. Firefighters disconnected power to the charger. The cause remains under investigation.
Officials estimate the fire caused more than $30,000 in damage. Fire officials estimate that firefighters’ quick response saved more than $1.4 million in property.
