BRICK — A fire at a residence on Carroll Fox Road in Brick Township was caused by a malfunctioning lithium-ion battery in a robotic pool vacuum, authorities said.
At approximately 2:45 a.m. on June 13, Brick Township Police Dispatch sent Laureltown Fire Company Station 23 to 668 Carroll Fox Road for a report of a deck fire. Fire Chief Paul Mazzeo was first on the scene and established command, reporting smoke coming from the rear of the house.
Fire crews quickly arrived and extinguished the blaze, containing the damage to the back deck, rear siding of the residence, and two nearby vehicles. No injuries were reported.
According to the Brick Township Bureau of Fire Safety, video surveillance footage revealed that a Wybot Robotic Pool Cleaner — which was not plugged in at the time — had malfunctioned. Sparks from the unit ignited the home’s composite decking.
Assistant Fire Marshal Robert Kurilla responded to the scene and confirmed the fire’s cause after reviewing the footage. A neighbor who noticed the fire also alerted the home’s occupants and called 911.
The Bureau of Fire Safety urged residents to regularly inspect lithium-ion powered devices, warning that overcharging, overheating, physical damage, or defects can all increase fire risk. They advised checking batteries for swelling, bulging, or leakage and emphasized caution if the battery is hot to the touch.
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