LOCAL NEWS

Utah Family Issues Warning After Hoverboard Explodes Inside Home

Jun 21, 2021, 7:56 PM | Updated: Jun 22, 2021, 8:20 am

LEHI, Utah – Armed with only an oven mitt, a Utah mom raced around her family room and kitchen, trying to smother several fires caused by an exploding hoverboard ride-on toy.

“They just started shooting out like fireworks,” Tamilisa Miner said about the hoverboard’s batteries.

It was just before 8:30 a.m. Thursday when her son alerted her to an issue with his hoverboard that was charging in the entryway.

“He said, ‘Mom, there’s something wrong with my hoverboard,’” Miner said.

The family purchased the used hoverboard two weeks ago. The previous owner told them it was about a year old, according to Miner.

“I came over and it was billowing, just billowing this electrical smoke,” Miner said.

With two of her young children next to her and her husband upstairs with their toddler, Miner jumped into action to protect her family.

She grabbed an oven mitt to try to move the hoverboard, but within seconds, the smoke grew more intense. She told her kids to get out and picked up her phone to call 911.

The family’s security camera captured the scary moments as seconds later, the hoverboard exploded, just as their eight-year-old son was running in front of it. Luckily, he wasn’t injured.

“Just the panic to see flames in your house,” Miner said of the experience.

Batteries from the hoverboard then flew across the room and started other small fires.

“It was burning all the way from the inside,” Miner said while examining the burnt hole in an upholstered chair. “It was like smoldering inside.”

(KSL TV) (KSL TV) (KSL TV) (KSL TV) (KSL TV)

Her husband rushed downstairs and the two of them used fire extinguishers to put out the fires.

“This just saved my home and possibly our lives,” Miner said while holding one of the used fire extinguishers. “Have one. Know where it is. Know how to use it because your brain goes mush when you’re panicked.”

The fire department responded and used thermal imaging to confirm that the fires were extinguished.

“Huge repercussions from just this little toy,” Miner said.

Miner also warned other families of the potential danger from charging hoverboards.

“If you’re not going to get rid of it, don’t charge it out of your sight,” Miner said. “Don’t charge it at night. Don’t charge it in your child’s bedroom.”

The family has started cleaning up after the fire, throwing out all of their food that’s not canned.

“They’re going to have to wash all the walls down. There’s soot everywhere,” Miner said. “There’s a stink that hopefully goes away.”

The family said they were grateful the fire happened when it did.

“I’m still in shock,” Miner said. “I mean, what if we had been asleep?”

Miner said her homeowner’s insurance company sent fire investigators to their home and that an investigation is underway.

KSL 5 TV Live

Top Stories

Local News

Kevin Linford (Facebook)...
Andrew Adams

Additional sex charges filed against Utah businessman; prosecutors fear more victims possible

A man accused of sexually abusing multiple women at a party in Davis County last summer now faces new charges in Salt Lake County. 
1 day ago
(Jackson Grimm/KSL TV)...
Debbie Worthen

Avalanches are bigger, more dangerous than past seasons in Utah

Utah gets hundreds of avalanches every year, but this year, those numbers are higher, and the slides themselves are becoming bigger and more dangerous.
1 day ago
...
Logan Stefanich

Alpine School District exploring potential closure of 5 elementary schools

The doors of five elementary schools in Alpine School District may be closing for good at the end of the school year due to seismic concerns.
1 day ago
(FILE) Salt Lake City Police car responding to a scene....
Madison Swenson

Man arrested after stealing thousands of dollars in merchandise from SLC airport store

A 30-year-old man accused of stealing nearly $4,100 worth of merchandise from a store inside the Salt Lake City International Airport has been arrested.
1 day ago
(KSL TV)...
Madison Swenson

West Valley City home heavily damaged by fire

A West Valley City home suffered significant damage Tuesday after a fire broke out in the kitchen.
1 day ago
(Utah County Sheriff's Office K-9 Team/Facebook)...
Cary Schwanitz and Madison Swenson

Utah County Sheriff’s Office mourning loss of retired K-9

The Utah County Sheriff’s Office is honoring a retired K-9 who died Monday.
1 day ago

Sponsored Articles

Stack of old laptops with dark background...
PC Laptops

Old Laptop Upgrades You Need to Try Before Throwing it Away

Get the most out of your investment. Try these old laptop upgrades before throwing it out to keep it running fast and efficient.
Happy diverse college or university students are having fun on their graduation day...
BYU MBA at the Marriott School of Business

How to Choose What MBA Program is Right for You: Take this Quiz Before You Apply!

Wondering what MBA program is right for you? Take this quiz before you apply to see if it will help you meet your goals.
Close up of an offset printing machine during production...
Les Olson IT

Top 7 Reasons to Add a Production Printer to Your Business

Learn about the different digital production printers and how they can help your company save time and money.
vintage photo of lighting showroom featuring chandeliers, lamps, wall lights and mirrors...
Lighting Design

History of Lighting Design | Over 25 Years of Providing Utah With the Latest Trends and Styles

Read about the history of Lighting Design, a family-owned and operated business that paved the way for the lighting industry in Utah.
Fiber Optical cables connected to an optic ports and Network cables connected to ethernet ports...
Brian Huston, CE and Anthony Perkins, BICSI

Why Every Business Needs a Structured Cabling System

A structured cabling system benefits businesses by giving you faster processing speeds and making your network more efficient and reliable.
notebook with password notes highlighted...
PC Laptops

How to Create Strong Passwords You Can Actually Remember

Learn how you can create strong passwords that are actually easy to remember! In a short time you can create new ones in seconds.
Utah Family Issues Warning After Hoverboard Explodes Inside Home