Rechargeable Lithium batteries are in laptops, cell phones, toys, and even cars. You can’t get away from them and many people are all guilty of not charging them safely. The Lima Fire Department is urging people to make sure they use the factory-provided charging cords and adapters and not to use cheap replacements which could cause a fire.

Lima Fire officials say a charging batter could have been the cause of a Friday morning house fire on the north side of the city.  Lima firefighters were called out to a house at 1201 N. McDonel St. just 3:45 am. The people inside were able to get out before crews got there. The fire severely damaged the home. The estimated loss is around $75,000.    

Fire chief Andy Heffner says the cause of the fire was more than likely a hover-board that had a lithium-ion battery that was being charged and caught fire while everyone inside was sleeping. The Red Cross was called in to help the family.

The city of Wapakoneta, known for being first on the moon, accomplished another first on Friday. The city welcomed its first Electric Vehicle charging station.