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Officials warn of hoverboard dangers after Nashville fires

FILE - In this Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015 file photo, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver B.J. Daniels rides a hoverboard as he arrives for an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, in Seattle. Amazon is warning British customers that their hoverboards may be unsafe, the latest in a string of warnings about the popular scooters. Amazon says some of the boards it sold are unsafe because they have “a non-compliant U.K. plug" and should be disposed of at a recycling center. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear, File) FILE - In this Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015 file photo, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver B.J. Daniels rides a hoverboard as he arrives for an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, in Seattle. Amazon is warning British customers that their hoverboards may be unsafe, the latest in a string of warnings about the popular scooters. Amazon says some of the boards it sold are unsafe because they have “a non-compliant U.K. plug" and should be disposed of at a recycling center. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear, File)

By Associated Press February 10, 2016 1 min read

NASHVILLE – Firefighters and state officials are warning citizens against the dangers of hoverboards after the two-wheeled motorized scooters are being blamed as the cause of two recent fires, including one that destroyed a $1 million home in Nashville and sent two teens to the hospital.

Metro Fire Department officials say the Jan. 9 blaze is believed to be the first hoverboard-related house fire in Tennessee.

The Nashville Fire Department has concluded that a Jan. 9 house fire was caused when a hoverboard burst into flames on the first floor of the home.

Officials say a 16-year-old girl who confronted smoke was forced to kick out a second-story window and leap below into her father’s arms. The father then helped the 14-year-old boy out of the second-story window with a ladder.