Fire breaks out in Lapinjärvi home due to gaming console battery malfunction

A gaming console sparked a fire in a private home in Lapinjärvi during the night between Friday and Saturday. A young individual was playing on the console when its battery caught fire. At the time the fire started, there were three people in the wooden house. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident.

“The person left the room while an older individual called for help. I do not have information regarding which gaming console was involved,” said fire chief Antti Virtanen. The room where the fire originated was completely destroyed, but the flames did not spread further into the house.

Virtanen noted that electrical devices catch fire annually, often due to unexpected faults. Signs of potential fire hazards include overheating devices or smoke. “It is indeed rare for a gaming console to ignite during use. Having firefighting equipment, such as a fire blanket or extinguisher, is advisable to prevent the fire from spreading. However, initial firefighting should be conducted without jeopardizing one’s own safety,” he cautioned.