A HOMEOWNER IN DEWEY IS NOW DISPLACED FOLLOWING A MAJOR AFTERNOON FIRE.

CENTRAL ARIZONA FIRE AND MEDICAL AUTHORITY RESPONDED TO A STRUCTURE FIRE NEAR JAY BIRD LANE IN DEWEY, WHERE FIREFIGHTERS ENCOUNTERED FLAMES CONSUMING THE BACKSIDE OF A MOBILE HOME AND EXTENDING INTO THE LIVING AREAS. ONE OCCUPANT SAFELY EVACUATED THE HOME PRIOR TO THE ARRIVAL OF EMERGENCY CREWS. 

CAFMA PERSONNEL EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND REMAINED ON SCENE TO PERFORM OVERHAUL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED, BUT THE HOMEOWNER HAS BEEN DISPLACED, SO THE ARIZONA CRISIS TEAM WAS CALLED IN TO ASSIST. 

THE FIRE IS BELIEVED TO HAVE STARTED AT THE BACK OF THE RESIDENCE DUE TO AN OVERHEATED LITHIUM BATTERY PACK. A REACTION CALLED THERMAL RUNAWAY HAPPENS WHEN AN INCREASE IN TEMPERATURE CHANGES THE BATTERY’S CONDITIONS.

CAFMA URGES COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO STORE LITHIUM BATTERIES IN MILD, WELL-VENTILATED, DRY AREAS THAT ARE OUT OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT, EXPOSURE TO HEAT SOURCES, AND WATER.