Chromebook catches fire in Shaker High School

LATHAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Chromebook caught fire on Wednesday morning around 10 a.m. at Shaker High School in Latham. The Latham Fire Department said it was in the J Wing, causing the entire school to evacuate upon fire alarm activation.

A hall monitor quickly took the Chromebook out of the classroom and outside of the school, per the fire department. In order to properly contain the lithium ion battery, the West Albany Fire Department's hazardous materials team responded.

The fire department also said 14 students were evaluated by the Colonie EMS department for potential smoke exposure, but no one had to be taken to the hospital. The North Colonie Central School District said the rest of the school day continued as normal. At this time, the cause of the fire is under investigation, but the fire department said the battery was experiencing thermal runaway.

There has been a social media trend going around where students insert lead or metal items, such as paperclips, aluminum foil or mechanical pencils, into the USB port of their school-issued Chromebook device, according to the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. The action reportedly forces an electrical short circuit and damages the device’s lithium-ion battery.