Baldwin County Fire Rescue has revealed the results of a two-day origin and cause investigation into the residential structure fire on Garrett Way. Fire investigators discovered that the fire started accidentally in the single-family home's back left bedroom.

The cause was identified as a lithium-ion battery that had thermal runaway, a situation in which a battery rapidly overheats and ignites, resulting in severe heat and flames. These batteries are commonly used in power tools, phones, laptops, vapes, and other rechargeable electronics. According to officials, poor charging, physical damage, and the use of non-approved chargers can all raise the risk.

The department advises residents to use manufacturer-approved chargers, avoid overnight charging, charge devices on non-combustible surfaces, and replace damaged or overheated batteries. According to officials, these fires spread quickly and emit poisonous smoke, thus prevention and early discovery are crucial.