Neighbors alert Wilbraham family to garage fire before it spreads to house

WILBRAHAM, Massachusetts (WWLP) – A Wilbraham family is thanking their neighbor after being awakened by a knock on their front door Thursday morning.

Shortly after 5:45 a.m., a fire broke out at a home on Lance Lane in Wilbraham. When firefighters arrived, they noticed smoke coming from the garage. The family living in the home was able to exit safely, but the garage is a total loss.

The homeowners told 22News their son’s hoverboard was left charging in the garage overnight and hope other families will be careful, too.

“If you use a hoverboard, charge it throughout the day or just be alert. This thing has been charged countless times since last winter. Today it happened by accident. I was told this is a common occurrence with lithium batteries and I’ve always heard about it, but I never thought it would happen here,” said Wilbraham resident Markez Cotto.

The official cause of the fire is still unknown, firefighters say. While it will take some time to repair the garage, the homeowners are just grateful that their family is safe.