A Tragic Fire Leaves a Kansas City Couple in Desperate Need
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A devastating fire in a mobile home has left a Kansas City couple with nothing but memories and the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. The incident occurred when a lithium-ion battery was charged improperly, leading to a rapid spread of flames that destroyed everything they owned.
David Patmore, one of the victims, described the moment the fire broke out. “The battery that my son was charging in one of the bedrooms in the mobile home, and he came running out. Fire! Fire! Get out! Get out!” he recalled. The fire spread quickly, causing significant damage throughout the home.
David and his partner Debra both have disabilities and rely on wheelchairs for mobility. During the fire, they were fortunate to be rescued by their son and a friend. “I was hugging the floor and breathing, and my son and another friend who was staying there pulled me out. They pulled her (Debra) out first, and then they pulled me out,” Patmore explained.
The flames destroyed not only furniture and electronics but also essential medical equipment and family heirlooms. “Electric wheelchairs. She had the oxygen stuff. We had bracing and other stuff in our bathrooms that enabled us to use them. Of course, we don’t have that here,” he said.
Although David, Debra, and their two roommates managed to move into another house temporarily, they are still struggling with mobility issues. “We spent three days in the hospital, each of us. Since I’ve been home from the hospital, I have been able to get out of this room until the (wheelchair) ramp was built yesterday, but it’s not finished,” Patmore shared.
He hopes others will learn from their experience and follow safety guidelines when charging lithium-ion batteries. “I can’t imagine anybody going through this in the cold in the wintertime at Christmas. I mean, really, I hope no one else goes through this. Don’t charge batteries – large batteries in your home,” Patmore emphasized.
Safety Tips for Lithium-Ion Batteries
The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) has provided a list of best practices and safety tips for lithium-ion batteries:
- Only use the charging cord that came with the device.
- Do not charge a device under your pillow, on your bed, or on a couch.
- Do not keep charging the device or the device battery after it is fully charged.
- Keep batteries at room temperature when possible. Do not charge them at temperatures below 32°F (0°C) or above 105°F (40°C).
- Store batteries away from anything that can catch fire.
These tips can help prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
Community Support and Fundraising Efforts
Patmore’s daughter started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the costs of removing the damaged trailer from the park and replacing medical equipment, along with other items. The couple is grateful for the support they’ve received from their community.
“We’re lucky to be alive. I’m grateful to everybody who has helped. I’ve had some friends bring us some clothes. I’m really grateful to everyone and everything they’ve done from the bottom of my heart,” Patmore said.
This tragic event serves as a reminder of the importance of safety and the power of community support during times of crisis.