Indiana Fire Department Issues Dire Warning After Charging Battery Destroys Home

One Indiana fire department shares a dire warning, reminding us of the importance of unplugging electronic devices, and particularly unplugging charging batteries.

Ring Camera Captures Moments Before Fire Overtakes Home

The Carmel Fire Department, located in Carmel, Indiana, shared a video as a "Public Safety Message" on its Facebook page recently. The video, seen below, shows the moments after a fire starts inside a home. It was captured on a Ring camera in the family's kitchen.

As the smoke alarm is going off, the family can be seen trying to get everyone out, including the family cat. To the right-hand side of the frame, you can see an orange glow from the door leading out to the garage.

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At about 12 seconds into the video, we see gray smoke start to move into the home at the top of the door. By the 16-second mark, the smoke is much darker and beginning to overtake the room, and at 20 seconds, the flames burst through the garage door. After only a few more seconds, the entire room is filled with smoke.

Indiana Firefighters Say This Could Happen in Your Neighborhood

The fire department says that while the incident did not occur in Carmel, the video is a powerful reminder of how fast fire can spread in a home. They believe that the fire started in the garage with a scooter's lithium-ion battery that was plugged in to charge.

How to Stay Safe When Charging Devices at Home

To protect yourself and your loved ones, the Carmel Fire Department recommends:

• Installing smoke alarms in your home
• Test your smoke alarms monthly to ensure proper operation
• Create and practice an escape plan for your family

READ MORE: These Indiana Counties Are Most at Risk for Tornadoes in 2025

Fire Department Shares Steps to Prevent Battery Fires

They say you should never leave lithium-ion batteries unattended on the charger or when you are not at home. Additionally, once fully charged, lithium-ion batteries should be unplugged. Never leave them on the charger indefinitely.

Tragedy and Total Loss for the Family Involved

While everyone in the family made it out of the home safely, one of the family's two cats perished in the fire, and all of their personal belongings were lost. Unfortunately, there was a lapse in insurance, forcing the family to rebuild their lives from scratch. A GoFundMe has been started by a relative, and you can find it here if you would like to donate.