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Used Electric Wheelchair Explodes in Hollywood After Battery Overheats

Fire officials warn that improper chargers raise lithium battery fire risk.

Overview

  • An electric wheelchair at a Hollywood, Florida home burst into flames after its lithium battery exploded, and a Ring camera captured the fire.
  • The homeowner heard a clicking sound and felt heat from the battery, then moved the chair outside seconds before it blew up, which officials said likely saved the house.
  • Hollywood Fire Rescue said the chair had been charged with a non‑manufacturer charger, which can overcharge lithium cells and trigger a fire.
  • The resident said she had bought the chair at a thrift store the week before and planned to give it to a family member, underscoring the unknown condition of secondhand batteries.
  • Officials urged people to stop using devices that click or pop, avoid unattended charging, check for excess heat, and use manufacturer‑recommended chargers.