At approximately 1:20 am today, AAFD, along with the 90 box, was dispatched for a fire in the bedroom at 137 Pearce Road in the township. E42-2 was enroute with a crew of six in less than a minute and a half, and arriving on scene in just over six six minutes of dispatch to find a two story residence with ATPD reporting a working fire in a second story bedroom. The fire was isolated to a sofa in the bedroom with no extension. The call was held to E42-2 and E19 on scene, with the balance returned.

Investigation revealed the fire was started by a charging cell phone that was tucked into the cushions and a blanket.

We at the AAFD would like to strongly advise our residents to never charge any electronic devices such as cell phones, iPads, tablets, or computers on padded furniture or in bed with you, especially while sleeping. A charging phone should also never be tucked under your pillow while you sleep. The NFPA, as well as Apple, Samsung, and other leading manufacturers recommend charging devices on a hard, flat, well ventilated surface. Charging devices on soft surfaces can trap the heat generated by the battery while charging and ignite mattresses, bedding, pillows, and sheets.

The residents today were luckily alerted to the fire early and a rapid response by first responders prevented potential serious damage and loss. We beg all of our residents to please follow the advice of the manufacturer, the NFPA, and us; DO NOT LEAVE ANY CHARGING ELECTRONICS ON ANY SOFT SURFACES OR IN BED WITH YOU!