Lithium ion battery ignites fire in Pullman apartment

PULLMAN — Pullman firefighters were called to the Kenwood Square Apartments, at 1225 NW Nye Street, around 2:30 p.m., for a report of smoke pouring out of a second-floor apartment.

Fire investigators determined that the fire, partially destroying an apartment, was caused by a lithium-ion battery that was being charged for a remote-control car while the resident was away, according to a press release written by Pullman Fire Department, Public Information Officer, Glenn Johnson.

The release states that Lieutenant Brian Parrish said he could see smoke coming from the building as his crews were approaching Stadium Way on Grand Avenue, then immediately called for a second alarm. The second alarm brought additional equipment, and personnel including Whitman County Rural District 12.

Parrish is stated as saying while they approached the back of the building on Stadium Way, he could see fire coming out of the second-floor apartment. Firefighters grabbed a hose line, going down a hillside of Juniper bushes to gain access to the apartment. One of the two firefighters is stated to have climbed back up to grab a ladder to enter through the back deck. There was an additional fire in the bathroom and bedroom. More firefighters joined through the front of the building.

Pullman and WSU police officers were able to get the 40 residents who occupied the 36 apartment units out of the structure owned by the Community Action Center of Whitman County. Assistant Chief Ryan Scharnhorst is stated as saying the officers action allowed firefighters to concentrate on getting the fire under control without having to search each room.

Residents were transported to the Pullman Senior Center, adjacent to City Hall on Crestivew by a Pullman Transit city bus. The Pullman Police used their community donated Blue Bridge card to purchase pizza for the residents while they waited.

One female resident who encountered smoke coming down the stairwell from the third to the second floor is reported to have been treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation at the scene. Paramedics are reported to have been called to the Senior Center around 5:15 p.m. to assist a resident who was experiencing breathing difficulties, and was transferred to Pullman Regional Hospital.

The building was cleared by Pullman fire inspectors and the city building inspector, except for three units. The apartment that the fire occurred, and the apartment immediately above it is reported as sustaining smoke damage. The apartment below is reported to have had water damage, but was vacant.

Community Action Center representatives reported that they were able to get everyone back into the complex, with the two occupants of the affected apartments occupying vacant apartments.

The amount of damage is pending a review by the insurance company, reports state.

“This is the second fire in the last several years that was caused by lithium batteries being charged,” states Glenn Johnson in the news release, noting that on Oct. 21, 2021, Pullman firefighters extinguished a fire that destroyed a townhouse on Lost Trail Drive which had been caused by large lithium batteries being charged in the garage.