Investigation of Belgrade house fire caused by portable charger leads to product recall | Bozeman

BELGRADE, Montana – The Central Valley Fire District (CVFD) reports that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a recall for a portable charger model due to a fire and burn hazard.

The recall was initiated in part due to CVFD investigations into a house fire in Belgrade last year that was caused by one of the portable chargers.

CVFD reports that on July 11, 2023, firefighters were called to a house fire in the River Rock community of Belgrade. When CVFD arrived on scene, they found a one-story, single-family home engulfed in flames.

The firefighters eventually managed to contain the fire to one bedroom and extinguish the flames. No one was injured in the fire. The property damage was estimated at $45,000 and the family of four living in the house was left homeless.

CVFD stated that their investigation into the origin of the fire later determined that the fire was ignited by an external battery while charging. CVFD reported the incident to the CPSC, which began its own investigation into the product.

On June 20, 2024, the CPSC announced a recall of the myCharge POWER HUB All-In-One 10,000 mAh portable chargers due to a risk of overheating while charging and a risk of fire and burns.

The product was sold exclusively at Costco retailers nationwide and on Costco.com from January 2022 to November 2023 for approximately $40.

115 portable chargers were returned to Costco because customers reported “melting, expanding, smoking, fire, burning, exploding or sparking.”

The CPSC reports that it has received 120 individual reports of the portable chargers overheating. The manufacturer, myCharge, also received two reports of house fires and property damage caused by the product.

Consumers are advised to IMMEDIATELY stop using the recalled portable chargers and contact myCharge for a free replacement charger.

For more information about the recall and instructions on how to request a replacement part, visit the myCharge manufacturer website at mycharge.com/pages/power-hub-all-in-one-recall.

You can also call myCharge toll-free at (888)251-2026 Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or email [email protected].