A lithium-ion battery fire broke out inside a South Hill home on March 2, 2026, at 9:57 PM in the 12100 block of 160th St E. The fire started when a battery from a heated jacket spontaneously ignited while sitting on top of a couch.
The homeowner extinguished the fire using a bowl of water before crews arrived. Central Pierce Fire & Rescue dispatched six units — including four fire suppression units, one EMS unit, and one command and support unit. Firefighters arrived to find the windows and doors already open and no visible smoke or fire. Crews searched the home to confirm the fire had not spread.
Damage was limited to the couch. No injuries were reported. Central Pierce Fire & Rescue handles an average of 128 emergency calls per day across its service area, which includes South Hill.