Children’s book sparks fire in North Carolina family’s van

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Firefighters in North Carolina said a battery-operated children’s book sparked a vehicle fire. (Credit: George Hildebran Fire and Rescue)

BURKE COUNTY, N.C. – Firefighters in North Carolina said a battery-powered children’s book sparked a fire that engulfed a vehicle. 

The blaze happened on August 25. 

Officials said the lithium “button battery” inside the children’s book ignited, causing the car seat to catch on fire, which then spread. 

Firefighters in North Carolina said a battery-operated children’s book sparked a vehicle fire. (Credit: George Hildebran Fire and Rescue)

According to WSOC, the family had just returned from church and the car was parked while they were inside. A neighbor noticed the smoke, prompting a family member to grab a hose to put out the fire. 

Investigators said the book was probably placed between the child safety seat and the van seat before it overheard and started the fire, according to the news outlet. 

“The world itself is moving to lithium batteries, which propose some of these troubles to the fire service,” Chief Bobby Craig at the George Hildebran Fire and Rescue told WSOC.  “I don’t know if there is — other than trying to keep them cool — that there is any precautions.”