VIDEO: A battery explosion is blamed for a fire that destroyed a garage and damaged other property in the village of Carthage. Volunteers from several fire departments were called to the Chapman home at 522 South Mechanic Street shortly before 10:30 p.m. Tuesday. When they arrived, they found a two-story garage engulfed in flames.
Carthage Fire Chief Brian Draper said there was little firefighters could do to save the building and focused on saving nearby property. He said four vehicles parked in the driveway were damaged in the fire and the siding on the nearby home melted from the heat. Flames spread to the neighbor’s property, destroying two sheds and damaging a garage. No injuries were reported.
Draper said the blaze was caused by a lithium-ion battery that exploded inside the garage. He said the battery was possibly used for a tool. Volunteers from Carthage, West Carthage, Natural Bridge and Deferiet fire departments battled the flames. State police and the villages of Carthage and West Carthage assisted at the scene. The Department of Public Works razed the garage.
