ST. GEORGE — A fire, suspected to have been started by an overheated electrical bike battery, overtook several units at the Vista Ridge Estates 55-plus community in St. George on Thursday night. The blaze has left officials warning residents to keep an eye on batteries that are charging.

There were no injuries, authorities said, but some people were evaluated by Gold Cross EMS for smoke inhalation. Stoker said there was “quite a bit of smoke that banked down low” and covered the crowd of people that had gathered at the scene.

There was a report of a dog that died of smoke inhalation but it wasn’t mentioned by St. George Fire Chief Robert Stoker when he briefed reporters. He did mention a cat that was found in the home where the fire originated, which was removed by firefighters.

The structure fire at the complex at 1331 N. Dixie Downs Road was reported at approximately 8 p.m. by a neighbor, Stoker said. The occupants, a husband and wife, were home at the time.

There was reportedly “heavy fire” in the garage of one of the units when officers with the St. George Police Department arrived. There were two vehicles engulfed — one inside the garage and one outside, Stoker said.

Responders evacuated both of the home’s occupants. Firefighters began their “fire attack” on the garage and one interior wall of the home, he said.

Additionally, Stoker said the department was concerned about there being occupants still inside the home, which would require crews to conduct a search while also fighting the fire.

Another complication was there are four or five adjacent units to the building.

“Our big concern in these areas are the multiple-family dwellings,” he said. “We try to have a heavy response with personnel just in case.”

The fire originated at the south end of the building, moved into the attic and spread through a fire wall to the adjacent unit on the north side, Stoker said.

Both units are “heavily damaged” and are not safe for occupation, Stoker said. St. George utilities shut off service to the homes.

Reportedly, all occupants had safe places to stay and Red Cross has not been called, he said.

At least seven fire trucks and two other department vehicles were at the scene. Santa Clara-Ivins Fire Department also arrived to assist, Stoker said, adding that law enforcement officers and Gold Cross did a “great job on helping with crowd control and checking on those people who needed it.”

The cause is still under investigation and the department will evaluate the area of origin to consider other sources. But Stoker said they had received reports of an e-bike catching fire while charging.

The department has “had some issues” with various batteries — like those found in vehicles, e-bikes and phones — overheating and igniting while on the charger, Stoker said.

“We’ve had several fires caused by that,” he said.

Some batteries have internal defects that may cause them to overheat and are not necessarily impacted by outside temperatures. Stoker suggests monitoring charging devices and unplugging them upon leaving the area.

This report is based on statements from police, emergency personnel, other responders, or witnesses on the scene and may not contain the full scope of findings.

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