A Florida woman noticed something suspicious while charging a thrift store wheelchair, and the split-second decision she made next saved her house

Alexandra Anaya from Hollywood, Florida, narrowly avoided a deadly disaster after a second-hand wheelchair she bought at a thrift store caught fire in a massive explosion. The incident happened when the lithium battery-powered device began showing signs of a critical failure while it was charging. The wheelchair had been purchased for a relative and was plugged in using a non-manufacturer charger at the time.

According to The Daily Mail, the trouble started when Anaya heard an unusual clicking sound coming from the wheelchair. She touched the battery and noticed it was extremely hot, which prompted her to look up what those symptoms meant. After reading that the signs pointed to imminent danger, she followed advice to move the device onto a non-combustible surface – her driveway.

Hollywood Fire Rescue and Beach Safety later confirmed that using an incorrect charger can easily cause a battery to overheat or overload. They praised Anaya for her quick thinking, saying she saved her house and her family from a catastrophe by not ignoring the early warning signs.

Moving the wheelchair outside was the decision that stopped the fire from destroying her home

Ring Doorbell camera footage captured the terrifying moments that followed. As Anaya moved away to safety, the wheelchair began to whistle and shoot out a massive stream of white sparks. Within seconds, the entire device was consumed by a blinding white fireball. 

The chair was fully ablaze, and thick black smoke came out as she shouted, “Fire! Fire!” Florida has seen no shortage of shocking and unexpected incidents lately, and this terrifying moment that ruined a couple’s Florida vacation is another example of how quickly things can go wrong.

Fire officials confirmed the explosion was caused by a process known as thermal runaway. This happens when a battery goes through an uncontrollable increase in temperature, which leads to an explosion and the release of toxic gases. The speed at which the chair went from a warning sign to a full fireball shows just how little time there can be to react in these situations.

Officials provided several safety tips to prevent this kind of incident from happening. You should always use the correct charger that is designed for your specific device, check batteries for excess heat while they are charging, and avoid leaving them unattended for long periods. If you see smoke or signs that a battery is entering thermal runaway, call 911 right away.

It is also important to avoid charging lithium-ion batteries in extreme temperatures, whether very hot or very cold, and to keep them out of direct sunlight. Fire officials also warned that people should always watch out for hissing, clicking, or popping sounds, as well as any physical swelling of a battery pack. 

If you notice any of these signs or smell burning, you need to act immediately. In other unusual news from the state, a Florida man’s wild Chick-fil-A stunt has also been making headlines recently. Lithium-ion batteries are found in a wide range of everyday devices, from wheelchairs and phones to power tools, but they require proper handling and care. 

Manufacturing defects, physical damage, or incorrect charging habits can all lead to dangerous and potentially deadly outcomes. Anaya’s experience is a clear reminder that paying attention to the early warning signs of battery trouble is the best way to keep your home and family safe.