WINOOSKI, VT — August 1 — Firefighters responded to an Elm Street condominium shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday for a reported structure fire involving an e-bike battery.

The Winooski Fire Department arrived and found fire involving a bedroom and its contents. The Vermont Air National Guard Fire Department responded as mutual aid to assist with suppression operations. Crews quickly knocked down the fire, containing it to the room and its contents.

Two occupants were transported to UVM Medical Center, while 12 residents were displaced because of water damage, according to local reports.

The fire was determined to have been caused by an e-bike battery. The incident highlights the hazards firefighters face from malfunctioning lithium-ion batteries, which can burn intensely and produce rapid fire growth.

Fire officials remind residents to use approved chargers and never leave charging batteries unattended.