April 21 (UPI) — A Florida woman’s home security camera was recorded when an electric wheelchair she bought from a thrift store exploded in her driveway.
Hollywood Fire Rescue shared a video on social media showing homeowner Alexandra Anaya rushing away from the chair seconds before it detonated in her driveway.
Anaya said she had bought the Zinger power wheelchair from a thrift store for a family member and had been charging its lithium battery in her hallway with a non-manufactuer charger when she heard it starting to click.
She said the clicking sound and the hot temperature of the battery raised her concern, so she did a quick Google search that advised her to move the chair outside.
“It said, ‘Imminent danger, put it on cement or somewhere where other things won’t catch on fire,'” Anaya told WTVJ-TV.
The video shows Anaya place the chair on her driveway and rush away just before it exploded. She said pieces of the chair hit her in the back as she ran away.
“I heard it hiss first before it exploded and that’s why I turned to run,” Anaya said.
Hollywood Fire Rescue offered some lithium battery safety tips in its post:
“1. Stop using a device if you hear clicking, popping, or hissing, or see swelling.
2. Move it to a non‑combustible area if safe.
3. Use the correct charger: cheap or incompatible chargers can be dangerous.
4. Check the battery for excess heat while charging.
5. Never leave batteries charging unattended.
6. Call 911 if you see smoke or signs of thermal runaway.”
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