ANDOVER, MASS. (WHDH) - Fire investigators say a battery-powered hoverboard was to blame for a fire that damaged an Andover home Thursday.
Andover Fire Chief Michael Mansfield and State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey said crews were called to the multifamily home on Temple Place around 3:40 p.m. and upon arrival found heavy smoke and fire pouring out.
A second alarm was struck as crews from multiple agencies struggled to extinguish the flames for over an hour.
Whitney Volz and her two sons were inside at the time and she told 7NEWS about the horrifying moment she realized her house was filled with flames.
“I called 911 as I ran out of my house,” she said. “My first stop was to my neighbor’s house to make sure he got out.”
He and his wife did make it out safely.
The cause of the fire has been attributed to a charging hoverboard.
Hoverboard fires were a national problem in 2016 after many were received as holiday gifts in 2015.
They are powered by lithium-ion batteries and must now be compliant with national safety standards,” according to a release issued by fire officials.
“I’ve heard of it before,” Volz said ” You always think, ‘Oh the boys love them … you know they enjoy them — they’re dangerous.”
Though this is a first in Andover, Fire Chief Michael Mansfield offered some advice to parents:
“Just supervise their children if they are indeed utilizing hoverboards and charging them at home,” he said.
Volz then delivered an even stronger message, saying it is a miracle her family is safe.
“Get rid of them. Get rid of them, that’s it. Get rid of them.”
The home sustained over $300,000 in damage.
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