Battery-powered skateboards and scooters are not permitted inside the residence halls, police said, but a fire alarm sounded at Scott Hall about 3:58 p.m.
ECU officers responded, arriving at the scene around 4:02 p.m., and saw heavy black smoke coming from Suite 206. Both the fire alarm and the sprinkler system activated properly, and residents evacuated the residence hall, police said.
Greenville Fire-Rescue arrived at 4:05 p.m. and extinguished the fire. Police said no one was injured during the fire or evacuation.
Greenville investigators determined the cause of the fire was the skateboard’s lithium-ion battery. The N.C. Office of the State Fire Marshal says lithium-ion batteries can pose serious fire risks if overcharged, damaged or mishandled.
Greenville Fire/Rescue released the building back to ECU after their investigation was complete and Scott Hall residents were allowed to re-enter the building at approximately 5:30 p.m., ECU police said.
Two suites sustained water damage, police said, and one room was damaged by fire and smoke. In total, eight rooms occupied by the 15 residents were impacted.
ECU Campus Living relocated the students to other rooms on campus. The damaged rooms will be unavailable for an indefinite period, ECU said. A disaster recovery team led by ECU Facility Services will begin recovery and restoration efforts today, police reported.
“The safety of our students remains our top priority,” Deputy Chief Chris Sutton said. “Together, the ECU Police Department and Greenville Fire-Rescue responded, extinguished the fire, investigated, identified its cause and safely returned students to their residence in about one-and-a-half hours.
“This achievement was only possible through the combined efforts of the ECU divisions: Campus Living, Facility Services and Environmental Health and Campus Safety.”
Lithium-ion batteries are common, according to the OSFM. They power items ranging from smartphones, laptops and power tools to e-cigarettes, toys and electric vehicles.
The batteries can experience thermal runaway — a rapid rise in temperature and pressure that may lead to fire or explosion. This can be triggered by:
- Overcharging: Charging beyond recommended limits.
- Internal short circuits: Structural damage causing overheating.
- Mechanical damage: Impacts or punctures.
- High temperatures: Exposure to extreme heat.
- Manufacturing defects: Low-quality materials or assembly errors.
The office encourages consumers to buy batteries from reputable sources and ensure they are labeled by nationally recognized testing labs; stop charging once a battery is fully charged; use only chargers compatible with the device, preferably the one that came with it; and not to use devices if the battery shows damage: unusual odor, heat, popping sounds, swelling or discoloration.
