San Rafael residence damaged in battery fire
An overheated lithium battery sparked a fire that burned in the basement of a San Rafael home.
The fire happened at about 7:45 p.m. Thursday at 45 Marquard Ave. Firefighters traced the fire to a battery charger that was plugged into a wall outlet, said Deputy Chief Robert Sinnott of the San Rafael Fire Department.
Sinnott said the flames damaged a water line and caused a leak, which helped suppress the fire.
“It is likely the home would have sustained substantial damage had this water line not burst and directed water onto the fire,” he said.
No injuries were reported. The estimated cost in damage was not determined.