Billerica Home Lost to Car Battery Fire

TL;DR

Garage Battery Fire: A three-alarm blaze started in a Billerica garage from a charging car battery and destroyed the home.[[1]](https://www.wcvb.com/article/thick-smoke-extensive-damage-after-fire-breaks-out-in-billerica-home/62226601)[[2]](https://www.lowellsun.com/2024/09/18/billerica-home-a-total-loss-after-car-battery-sparks-blaze/)
268 Rangeway Road: The 1955-built house has six bedrooms, 3,600 sq ft, and was condemned as a total loss.[[1]](https://www.wcvb.com/article/thick-smoke-extensive-damage-after-fire-breaks-out-in-billerica-home/62226601)
Couple Escaped Safely: Elderly residents got out unharmed after quick action upon spotting smoke.[[1]](https://www.wcvb.com/article/thick-smoke-extensive-damage-after-fire-breaks-out-in-billerica-home/62226601)[[2]](https://www.lowellsun.com/2024/09/18/billerica-home-a-total-loss-after-car-battery-sparks-blaze/)

The story at a glance

A fire on September 16, 2024, at 268 Rangeway Road in Billerica destroyed the home after igniting in the garage from a car battery being charged in an older gas-powered vehicle. Billerica firefighters, led by Deputy Fire Chief Stephen Kennedy, responded to the three-alarm blaze that spread quickly through the structure. The article reports two days later on the total loss and condemns the property; no injuries occurred.[[1]](https://www.wcvb.com/article/thick-smoke-extensive-damage-after-fire-breaks-out-in-billerica-home/62226601)[[2]](https://www.lowellsun.com/2024/09/18/billerica-home-a-total-loss-after-car-battery-sparks-blaze/)

Key points

Fire broke out just before noon on September 16, 2024, in the garage of the home at 268 Rangeway Road.[[1]](https://www.wcvb.com/article/thick-smoke-extensive-damage-after-fire-breaks-out-in-billerica-home/62226601)
Homeowner started charging the battery, closed the garage door, then spotted smoke two minutes later and got his wife out.[[1]](https://www.wcvb.com/article/thick-smoke-extensive-damage-after-fire-breaks-out-in-billerica-home/62226601)
Blaze escalated to three alarms, with flames through the roof and heavy smoke; firefighters attacked from ground and ladders.[[1]](https://www.wcvb.com/article/thick-smoke-extensive-damage-after-fire-breaks-out-in-billerica-home/62226601)
Home, built in 1955 with six bedrooms and 3,600 square feet, condemned as total loss; heaviest damage at garage side.[[1]](https://www.wcvb.com/article/thick-smoke-extensive-damage-after-fire-breaks-out-in-billerica-home/62226601)[[2]](https://www.lowellsun.com/2024/09/18/billerica-home-a-total-loss-after-car-battery-sparks-blaze/)
Elderly couple who lived there 40 years escaped unharmed; no firefighter injuries reported.[[1]](https://www.wcvb.com/article/thick-smoke-extensive-damage-after-fire-breaks-out-in-billerica-home/62226601)[[2]](https://www.lowellsun.com/2024/09/18/billerica-home-a-total-loss-after-car-battery-sparks-blaze/)
Fire damaged nearby fence and neighbor's lawn; roads temporarily closed during response.[[1]](https://www.wcvb.com/article/thick-smoke-extensive-damage-after-fire-breaks-out-in-billerica-home/62226601)

Details and context

The fire started when the homeowner went into the garage, started charging the battery on his older gas-powered vehicle, closed the door, and returned to the house. About two minutes later, he reopened the door, saw smoke, shut it again, and evacuated his wife safely.[[1]](https://www.wcvb.com/article/thick-smoke-extensive-damage-after-fire-breaks-out-in-billerica-home/62226601)

Crews found the fire already spreading into the house from the garage; one section over the garage was fully charred, and flames burned through the main roof. The response involved efforts to contain it initially in the garage, but it had extended too far.[[1]](https://www.wcvb.com/article/thick-smoke-extensive-damage-after-fire-breaks-out-in-billerica-home/62226601)

The couple, described as elderly in follow-up reporting, had resided in the home for about 40 years. A local church confirmed the residents as Donald and Phyllis MacDonald, noting they were safe.[[3]](https://www.facebook.com/uubillerica/posts/dear-ones-yesterdays-house-fire-on-rangeway-road-was-at-the-home-of-our-beloved-/850993020476236)

Key quotes

"He went in, started it up. Closed the door to the garage. Went back in the house. About two minutes later he went opened it back up and noticed smoke. Shut the door and got his wife," said Billerica Deputy Fire Chief Stephen Kennedy.[[1]](https://www.wcvb.com/article/thick-smoke-extensive-damage-after-fire-breaks-out-in-billerica-home/62226601)

"We had to go in the garage at first, try to push it out of the house, but it was already inside the house," said Billerica Deputy Fire Chief Stephen Kennedy.[[1]](https://www.wcvb.com/article/thick-smoke-extensive-damage-after-fire-breaks-out-in-billerica-home/62226601)

"The memories that they have there and stuff like that – that can’t be replaced. But nobody got hurt, nobody got injured, so it’s OK," said neighbor Jim Wheaton.[[1]](https://www.wcvb.com/article/thick-smoke-extensive-damage-after-fire-breaks-out-in-billerica-home/62226601)

Why it matters

Fires from charging vehicle batteries highlight risks in garages, especially with older equipment, potentially affecting homeowners nationwide who store or charge vehicles indoors. For Billerica residents and similar suburbs, it underscores the need for battery charging safety to prevent rapid structure losses like this 3,600 sq ft home. Watch for official investigation updates from Billerica Fire on exact ignition factors, though no ongoing probe details are reported.

What changed

The home at 268 Rangeway Road was intact and occupied before September 16, 2024; now it stands condemned as a total loss after the garage fire spread; the shift occurred on that Monday just before noon.[[1]](https://www.wcvb.com/article/thick-smoke-extensive-damage-after-fire-breaks-out-in-billerica-home/62226601)[[2]](https://www.lowellsun.com/2024/09/18/billerica-home-a-total-loss-after-car-battery-sparks-blaze/)

FAQ

Q: What caused the fire at 268 Rangeway Road?

A: The blaze started in the garage when the homeowner charged a battery in an older gas-powered vehicle, closed the door, and spotted smoke two minutes later. It quickly spread to the rest of the house, requiring a three-alarm response. Fire officials confirmed the battery charging as the spark source.[[1]](https://www.wcvb.com/article/thick-smoke-extensive-damage-after-fire-breaks-out-in-billerica-home/62226601)

Q: Were there any injuries in the Billerica Rangeway Road fire?

A: No injuries occurred; the elderly couple home at the time escaped unharmed after the husband noticed smoke and got his wife out. No firefighters were hurt during the response. Neighbors and officials noted everyone was safe.[[1]](https://www.wcvb.com/article/thick-smoke-extensive-damage-after-fire-breaks-out-in-billerica-home/62226601)[[2]](https://www.lowellsun.com/2024/09/18/billerica-home-a-total-loss-after-car-battery-sparks-blaze/)

Q: How bad was the damage to the Rangeway Road house?

A: The 1955-built, six-bedroom, 3,600 sq ft home was a total loss, condemned two days later with heaviest damage at the garage side. Flames burned through the roof, and part over the garage was fully charred. It also affected a nearby fence and lawn.[[1]](https://www.wcvb.com/article/thick-smoke-extensive-damage-after-fire-breaks-out-in-billerica-home/62226601)[[2]](https://www.lowellsun.com/2024/09/18/billerica-home-a-total-loss-after-car-battery-sparks-blaze/)

Q: Who lives at the house that burned on Rangeway Road?

A: An elderly couple who had lived there about 40 years; a local church identified them as beloved members Donald and Phyllis MacDonald. Their grandchild Jessica was mentioned in community updates. They escaped safely.[[3]](https://www.facebook.com/uubillerica/posts/dear-ones-yesterdays-house-fire-on-rangeway-road-was-at-the-home-of-our-beloved-/850993020476236)[[1]](https://www.wcvb.com/article/thick-smoke-extensive-damage-after-fire-breaks-out-in-billerica-home/62226601)