Children's book ignites car seat in North Carolina family's minivan minutes after parking

Firefighters in North Carolina are warning parents after a children’s book with a battery caused a minivan fire in the state.

The George Hildebran Fire & Rescue Department said on Sunday that a child car seat caught on fire soon after the child had gotten out of the car in Burke County, roughly 70 miles northwest of Charlotte.

After firefighters put out the flames, the Fire Marshal’s Office determined that the fire was started by a “button battery” inside a children’s book that was left underneath the seat, according to a Facebook post from the department.

Pictures from the fire damage showed the majority of the bottom of the seat burned, with the padding of the car seat burned along with some of the plastic melted. While the department shared a cover image of a Cocomelon book titled, “JJ’s Potty Time” that makes sounds, it's unclear what book caused the fire. 

Girl's parents talk about 'crazy' fire

Destiny Williams told WSOC-TV that she and her family had just returned from church on Sunday and were inside for about 20 minutes when the fire began. Her daughter Misty had been in the car seat during the drive.

"This is crazy but thank God for protecting her,” Williams said.

Misty's father, Pressley Williams, echoed the sentiment.

“When the fire marshal came and confirmed it was from a lithium battery from a child’s book, I was honestly shocked and surprised,” Pressley Williams said.

He said the book that started the fire didn't have a warning label and that they've reached out to the company to pay for the damages to no avail. They said they do hope other families learn from their experience.

How can I prevent battery fires?

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, keeping lithium-ion batteries in direct sunlight or inside of hot cars can be a hazard and they should ideally be kept at room temperature.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.