ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Two cats were rescued Monday morning from a house fire on Lombard Way in the Shearwater neighborhood of St. Johns County.
Firefighters said they believe the blaze was sparked by a golf cart in the garage of the home.
Thankfully, everyone in the home was able to escape safely after they were alerted to the fire by a smoke detector, firefighters said. No injuries were reported.
The first units to arrive worked quickly to put out the fire, and during a search of the home, firefighters found two cats and were able to safely reunite them with their owners.
St. Johns County Fire Rescue said the fire was contained to the garage area, and they believe it was sparked by a golf cart inside the garage.
Believing the golf cart was related to the fire, SJCFR offered reminders for all homeowners about battery safety to help prevent future incidents.
Batteries used in golf carts, tools, and other equipment can pose a fire risk if they are damaged, improperly charged, or stored incorrectly.
“It comes quickly,” St. Johns County Fire Rescue Public Information Officer Chris Naff said. “Fire doubles in size pretty much every 30 seconds just because of the nature of the materials their made out of.”
To help keep your home safe:
- Never charge batteries overnight or while you’re away from home.
- Use only manufacturer-approved chargers and replacement batteries.
- Avoid charging near combustible materials.
- Do not use batteries that show signs of damage, leaking, swelling, or overheating.
- Store and charge equipment in a well-ventilated area.
- Install a smoke detector in your garage to provide early warning in case a battery malfunctions.
- If a battery or device overheats, smokes, or has an unusual odor, stop using it immediately and move it to a safe location outdoors if possible.
“We can always replace stuff but we can’t replace people,” Naff said.