Key West fire and police departments responded to a house fire the afternoon of Feb. 25 on Patricia Street. A garage was engulfed when firefighters arrived and extinguished the fire.
There were no injuries, but there was significant damage to the garage.
An initial assessment shows the blaze may have been caused by e-bikes inside the garage. While the investigation continues, Key West Fire Marshal Jason Barroso reminds the community to use extreme caution with lithium-ion batteries.
Owners need to always follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions for charging and storing them. These batteries can overheat, catch fire or even explode, causing injuries, fires and death. In addition, running e-vehicles through standing salt water during high tides can make them unstable.
