Dog, two cats die in St. Paul house fire believed to be started by lithium-ion battery

During the early morning hours Tuesday, St. Paul firefighters say they believe a lithium-ion battery started a fire in the Payne Phalen neighborhood that took the lives of a dog and two cats.

The fire on the 1200 block of Cook Avenue East was reported around 3:10 a.m., according to the St. Paul Fire Department. 

Rick Washenberger says his mother was fast asleep when the fire started. She got out, he said, likely thanks to the help of his brothers, who were home at the time.

Washenberger thinks the source of the fire was a scooter.

"With those batteries, several things can happen to them. They can become damaged, punctured, get wet. Maybe they're at the end of their life cycle, the wrong charging device could be used," said St. Paul Fire Department Deputy Chief Jamie Smith.

Using the wrong charging device can also spark a fire, Smith said.

Lithium-ion battery fires have made headlines in recent years. It's been a problem in St. Paul as well.

"We've had five lithium-ion battery-caused fires just this year," said Smith. St. Paul has seen 14 lithium-ion-caused fires since 2025, primarily with scooters and e-bikes, he said.

Smith says three simple tips can help prevent lithium-ion battery fires.

He says to only use approved charging devices, avoiding the aftermarket. If a battery appears punctured or damaged or is heating up, stop using it. And never charge a lithium-ion battery in a bedroom, Smith said. Charging the battery in a garage or outdoors is a better option.

"If it is outside, try to keep it covered because if they get wet that can also damage the battery itself," Smith said.

Smith said St. Paul has seen 14 fires linked to lithium-ion batteries since 2025, primarily involving scooters and e-bikes.