A fire caused by a lithium-battery powered skateboard forced the evacuation of a six-story UVM dormitory Friday afternoon.

Burlington firefighters say that at 2:40 PM, dispatchers received a building fire alarm for 394 Pearl Street, the University of Vermont Jeanne-Mance Hall. First arriving crews found the six story dormitory being evacuated with no smoke or fire visible from the exterior. 

A UVM Police officer on scene reported that there was an active fire involving a battery powered skateboard on the third floor. Crews made their way to the third floor and found a moderate smoke condition and a burned battery powered skateboard under an activated sprinkler head on the third floor hallway. 

All occupants were confirmed out of the building and the activated sprinkler head was shut off to limit water damage. The fire was extinguished completely by the building sprinkler system. 

Burlington Fire crews checked the area for fire extension and began salvage efforts and smoke ventilation. There were no reported injuries. 

UVM’s Fire Marshal’s office was requested to the scene for consultation as well as UVM Facilities Management Team to shut down the building’s power and mitigate damage resulting from the fire. Occupants of the building are displaced due to the smoke and the water damage from the sprinkler system. 

“The use of devices with Lithium-Ion batteries comes with risks of fire,” the BFD statement said. “Be sure to always use the manufacturer’s batteries and charging cables and never leave charging items unattended.”