Fire Contained Quickly at Hagerstown Commercial Building Following Lithium Battery Malfunction

A commercial fire broke out early Wednesday morning at a multi-occupancy building on Maugans Avenue in Hagerstown, Maryland. Firefighters from the Maugansville Goodwill Volunteer Fire Company responded shortly after 7 a.m. and contained the fire within 20 minutes. No injuries were reported, and damage estimates total approximately $100,000 between property and contents.

The fire originated in a vehicle maintenance garage within the complex, which is managed by Fountain Head Property Management. An employee from a neighboring business discovered the fire and alerted authorities. A total of 35 firefighters were dispatched, and a single alarm was raised for the incident.

Fire investigators determined the preliminary cause to be accidental. A lithium battery malfunctioned while charging, igniting nearby materials. The charger had been placed on an office chair next to the rear of a vehicle, contributing to the fire’s spread. Fortunately, fire alarms and sprinklers were present and activated as designed, aiding in the fire’s swift containment.

The estimated property loss stands at $50,000, with an additional $50,000 in damage to the building’s contents. No arrests were made, and the building’s fire suppression systems helped prevent further damage or potential injuries. Authorities have not indicated any ongoing threat or the need for further action beyond the initial investigation.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from a notice of investigation issued by the Maugansville Goodwill Volunteer Fire Company

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