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Cell phone ignites causing minor injury
PUTNAM — April 15 Putnam Emergency Dispatch received a 911 call from Tammy Beaulieu, a resident of 207 Sabin St. who reported that her cell phone had violently ignited causing a burn injury to her nose.
Beaulieu quickly put the phone into her bathtub without further injury, also preventing the fire from spreading. The fire was out on arrival of Putnam Fire Department; however, firefighters secured the phone in a battery specific container because lithium-ion batteries are known to re-ignite.
Beaulieu had told EMS personnel that she was in the process of removing her battery from the phone when it exploded. In an effort to reset her 2022 Motorola Stylus 5g cell phone, she attempted to remove the battery. In doing so the battery was probably damaged, causing thermal runaway ultimately causing the battery to ignite. Beaulieu was treated and released for superficial burns to her face at DKH.
The Fire Marshal’s office urged caution with lithium-ion batteries which are prevalent in today’s electronic devices. If you have any issues with your cell phone, take it to an authorized dealer for repair. Refrain from using after-market batteries and chargers and only use accessories that were made by the manufacturer of your product.
If anyone has any further information concerning this incident, they’re asked to contact Putnam Deputy Fire Marshal Ryan Walsh at (860) 963-6800 X112.
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