PORT ANGELES — A fast response from bystanders helped prevent a potentially serious fire in the Maloney Heights neighborhood Wednesday afternoon.
Just before 4 p.m., the Port Angeles Fire Department and Clallam County Fire District 2 were dispatched to 2311 West 18th Street following reports of heavy smoke coming from a first-floor apartment. Crews arrived to find smoke filling the unit but no active flames, thanks to quick action by two neighbors who used fire extinguishers to knock down the blaze.
Firefighters ventilated the structure and traced the fire’s cause to a set of lithium-ion batteries the occupant had been working on. According to the occupant, the batteries ignited without warning, “like a pack of flares.” He was treated for smoke inhalation at Olympic Medical Center. The two neighbors who assisted were evaluated at the scene but not hospitalized.
Officials praised the bystanders’ efforts, saying their actions prevented the fire from spreading and causing major structural damage.
PA Fire Deputy Chief Joel McKeen says the incident also serves as a reminder of the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries, which are found in many common devices like laptops, e-bikes, and power tools. Fire officials urge residents to use only approved chargers, avoid repairing batteries themselves, and store them in cool, dry places.