Faulty power bank sparks fire in Areia Preta apartment, 60 evacuated

A fire broke out early Sunday in an Areia Preta apartment building, forcing the evacuation of about 60 residents and sending a man in his 50s to the hospital with smoke inhalation, after a faulty power bank reportedly ignited flames in a second-floor unit.

Initial investigations indicate the fire may have been caused by a faulty power bank.

At around 2 a.m., a female tenant of the unit noticed the fire in her room, immediately called the police for help, and fled the scene.

Firefighters arrived to find flames in the room. They used water from nearby buildings and street hoses to extinguish the fire.

During the incident, about 60 residents evacuated on their own and waited outside the building in a safe area.

After the fire was extinguished, firefighters used a smoke exhaust machine to remove the thick smoke. They then entered the unit to investigate the cause of the fire, which had spread over approximately 90 square feet.

Once safety was ensured, firefighters, along with police officers on the scene, began arranging for residents to return to their units.

Reports from the scene indicated that one of the rooms had sustained significant damage, with a mattress burned down to its springs and the air conditioner unit also damaged.

With product quality of power banks varying widely, mainland China now requires “3C” certification for these devices.

Authorities urged residents to choose certified products and follow safety guidelines, adding that when charging or powering devices, users should avoid placing power banks on soft surfaces, in humid conditions, or in extreme temperatures. Times Reporter