Hoverboard Ignites Garage Fire in Gilbert

By: Ciara Perez | Investigative Journalist | iSkyNews.com (ISC News)

Published November 3rd, 2025

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Hoverboard Sparks Garage Fire in Gilbert, Quickly Contained by Homeowners

GILBERT, Ariz. — A hoverboard is being blamed for sparking a garage fire in Gilbert Monday morning, reigniting national concerns over the safety of lithium-powered devices.

At approximately 9:00 a.m., Gilbert Fire and Police units responded to reports of a hoverboard that caught fire inside a residential garage. According to 911 dispatch records, a resident reported that the device suddenly ignited while in the garage. The homeowners acted quickly, using water to extinguish the flames and moving the burning hoverboard outside before firefighters arrived.

When fire engines reached the scene, a white haze was visible from the exterior of the home, prompting crews to enter cautiously to confirm the fire was out. A full balance of multiple engines was initially dispatched, but once the situation was declared under control, the full balance was recalled and one engine remained on scene to ensure safety and monitor for potential flare-ups.

Hoverboards — self-balancing, battery-powered scooters that gained popularity as a trendy personal transport device — have long faced scrutiny for fire hazards linked to their lithium-ion batteries. While many models today claim to meet safety standards, past incidents across the United States have shown the dangers of overheating and malfunctioning units.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), more than 250 hoverboard-related fires or overheating incidents have been reported nationwide since 2015. In one tragic case from March 2017, a 2-year-old and a 10-year-old died in a house fire in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, believed to have been ignited by a charging hoverboard. In total, the CPSC has documented 13 burn injuries, three smoke inhalation injuries, and over $4 million in property damage tied to hoverboard incidents.

The CPSC Hoverboard Safety Alert advises consumers to take several precautions to reduce the risk of fire:

⚠️ Use only the charger that came with your hoverboard.
⚠️ Never charge unattended — especially overnight.
⚠️ Keep the hoverboard away from flammable materials while charging or storing.
⚠️ Check for recalls at www.CPSC.gov.
⚠️ Ensure your hoverboard is UL 2272 compliant, which means the entire unit has passed electrical and fire-safety testing.

Officials recommend residents verify compliance by checking for a UL 2272 certification label on the hoverboard or its packaging and to only purchase from reputable retailers. Devices bought before January 29, 2016, are not UL 2272 compliant and may pose higher fire risks.

No injuries were reported in today’s Gilbert incident, and the fire was contained to the garage area. Gilbert Fire officials remind residents to install working smoke alarms on every level of the home and keep fire extinguishers accessible near charging areas for electronic devices.

For full safety guidance, visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Hoverboard Safety Alert (PDF).

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