Lincoln Fire and Rescue crews were sent to a west Lincoln home around 12:30 Sunday afternoon. Public Information Officer MJ Lierman says heavy smoke was coming from the basement of the home near 2nd and ‘F’ Street.
“They did make an initial attack into the basement where the quickly realized the fire had spread up into the first floor.” Lierman says residents told investigators that a lithium-ion battery being used for an electric bike in the basement had exploded.
LFR crews were then pulled out of the house on a report there were several batteries in the basement. The two residents were able to safely evacuate and were relocated by the Red Cross. Damage ie estimated at $50,000 and the home is a total loss.
The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department was called for their expertise in handling and disposing the remaining batteries.
(Photo: 1011 Now)