OAKLAND — A lithium battery used to power a go-kart exploded while charging Sunday, sparking a fire that primarily damaged the garage of an East Oakland home, officials said.
No one was injured in the fire, which broke out around 1 p.m. Sunday in the garage-workshop of a two-story home at the intersection of 19th Avenue and East 21st Street.
The fire, which it took firefighters half an hour to put out, ravaged the garage and destroyed a small car parked inside, authorities said.
Some other parts of the residence suffered smoke and water damage, fire spokesman Michael Hunt said. Firefighters prevented the flames from spreading upstairs.
No injuries were reported. At least three people living in the home and their pets were displaced but refused help from the Red Cross, officials said.
Hunt said investigators believe the fire was accidental in nature and resulted from the “spontaneous ignition” of a lithium go-kart battery that was being charged.
A damage estimate was not available.
California Daily Newspapers
