COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KOAA) — Students of Mitchell High School were evacuated from the building on Tuesday morning, according to the Colorado Springs Fire Department.
CSFD says they responded to the school on the east side of Colorado Springs around 7:45 a.m. When they arrived, they learned that a cell phone battery had malfunctioned, causing smoke and gas to come from the phone.
The CSFD HAZMAT team was called to the scene to evaluate, and the school was evacuated. The department says they checked on 26 students, but none were taken to the hospital.
Before being allowed back in the building around 9:20 a.m. CSFD did a check of the building to ensure the safety of staff and students.
The National Fire Protection Association has put together some tips so you can make sure something like this doesn't happen to you.
They say only buy listed products, or those with a lithium battery that has a safety certification mark.
Also, charge your devices safely. Those tips include the following:
- use the cords that come with the product
- don't overcharge it
- unplug it or remove the battery when it's fully charged
Also, be sure to recycle you batteries responsibly. Don't throw lithium-ion battery in the trash or regular recycle bins because it could start a fire. Instead, bring it to a safe battery recycling location.
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Two Residents Talk About Apartment Fire that Displaced 50 and Injured Many
Around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, firefighters with the Colorado Springs Fire Department were sent to an apartment fire at 5320 E Pikes Peak Avenue.
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