No injuries were reported after the lithium-ion power bank erupted in flames beside a woman sitting in a Vacaville living room.
VACAVILLE, CA — A portable phone charger suddenly burst into flames inside a Northern California home Sunday night, an incident captured by a security camera that prompted local firefighters to renew warnings about lithium-ion battery hazards.
The Vacaville Fire Department said the portable charger, which contained a lithium-ion battery, failed inside a home in Vacaville. Video from a Ring camera shows a woman sitting on a couch when the device beside her abruptly erupts, producing flames in the living room. Residents were able to put out the fire before it spread, and no injuries were reported.
The department shared the video Wednesday as firefighters investigated what caused the battery to fail. Officials had not publicly identified the manufacturer or model of the portable charger, and no specific defect had been announced. That leaves important questions about the device, including its condition and why it ignited, unresolved while the investigation continues.
The incident drew attention because lithium-ion batteries are widely used in portable power banks, phones, laptops and other rechargeable electronics. The batteries can store substantial energy in a compact space. If a battery is damaged, defective or otherwise fails, it can overheat and ignite rapidly. Vacaville fire officials had already been emphasizing lithium-ion battery safety during Fire Prevention Week earlier in October.
After the home incident, the Fire Department urged consumers to use products from reputable manufacturers and look for recognized safety certifications, including UL or ETL markings. Officials also warned against keeping or charging battery-powered devices on combustible surfaces such as couches, beds and pillows. They said people should use the correct charging equipment for their devices.
Fire officials identified excessive heat, swelling, unusual odors and hissing or popping sounds as possible signs of a failing lithium-ion battery. The department also warned against leaving devices charging unattended or overnight. Officials said lithium-ion battery fires can develop quickly and produce intense heat and hazardous smoke.
The video underscores how little warning a battery failure can sometimes provide. The woman in the recording is seated only a short distance from the charger when flames suddenly appear. Despite the proximity of the fire, authorities said she was not hurt, and residents prevented the flames from spreading farther through the house.
The event also follows other recent reports of portable charger fires, but authorities have not connected the Vacaville incident to a particular manufacturer, product line or recall. Without a confirmed model, officials have not said whether the charger involved was subject to any previous safety action. The Fire Department’s investigation remained underway after the video was released.
Vacaville fire officials said that if a lithium-ion battery begins smoking or catches fire, people should leave the area and call 911 rather than attempt to move the burning battery. No additional injuries or property losses from the Vacaville incident had been announced as of Thursday, and officials had not released a final cause of the battery failure.
Author note: Last updated Oct. 29, 2026.