Fire Marshal: Hoverboard caused house fire that killed 4 dogs in Spicer, Minn.

Following a preliminary investigation, officials believe a charging hoverboard caused a house fire last month that injured a woman and killed four dogs in Spicer, Minn.

The State Fire Marshal Division is asking hoverboard owners to read operating and charging instructions, and to check if their board is part of a recall that includes more than 500,000 units. CLICK FOR RECALL LIST

“We don’t want a fun time to turn deadly,” State Fire Marshal Bruce West said. “Reading instructions is simple. Taking a few minutes now can spare you potential heartbreak later.”  

According to investigators, hoverboards with lithium ion battery packs pose a risk of smoking, catching fire or exploding.

Tips for homeowners to limit risk of a hoverboard fire:
(Provided by the State Fire Marshal Divison)

  • Read warnings and safety instructions on how to operate and charge the hoverboard.
  • Be present when charging the board.
  • Follow the specific instructions about how long the board can stay on the charger.