A charging lithium battery caused a fire in a Bath apartment on July 27, but quick response prevented further damage.
On Saturday, July 27, at approximately 9:41 a.m., the Bath Volunteer Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 101 West Washington Street in the Village of Bath. Reports indicated black smoke coming from a window of a two-story multi-family apartment building. Assistant Chief Curtis Wininger arrived first on the scene and confirmed a working fire, prompting the request for a second alarm.
Bath Village Police and a Steuben County Sheriff’s Deputy evacuated the remaining tenants while firefighters from Bath and Bath VA quickly addressed the blaze. Their swift and effective interior attack contained the fire to the original apartment, preventing its spread to other units. The additional units called for in the second alarm were subsequently recalled.
The Bath Fire Department later determined that the fire was caused by an overheated charging lithium battery pack. The affected apartment sustained extensive damage, and the Steuben Area Red Cross was contacted to assist the displaced occupant. Chief Mike Fiordo declared the fire under control at 10:03 a.m., with all units cleared and back in service by 11:16 a.m.
