Firefighters Respond To House Explosion In Eugene (Photo) -07/02/24

*update* Initial findings indicate a fire started in the kitchen.  The explosion is believed to be caused by thermal runaway of a lithium ion battery.  Thermal runaway causes the rapid release of significant amounts of flammable gas which, when ignited, caused an explosive over pressurization. 
 

Eugene, OR.  Eugene Springfield Fire responded to a reported house explosion in West Eugene Monday afternoon.  Firefighters were called to 3747 Hawthorne Ave at 4:53 PM with callers reporting a house exploded and was smoking.  Engine 8 arrive in under 4 minutes to find a fire in a duplex with the windows blown out.  The fire was contained to one side of the duplex and 2 were rescued. There were no reported injuries and the cause is under investigation.