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Spring Hill Fire Department Urges Lithium-Ion Battery Safety After Recent Fires

Issue #781

July 28, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌤️ Columbia’s Wednesday Weather - Mostly sunny w/ high of 91, low of 65

🚒 Spring Hill Fire Department Urges Lithium-Ion Battery Safety After Recent Fires

📚 Maury County Public Schools Continue Significant Five-Year Growth in TCAP Proficiency

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Spring Hill Fire Department Urges Lithium-Ion Battery Safety After Recent Fires

The Spring Hill Fire Department is reminding residents to take extra care with lithium-ion rechargeable batteries following a recent residential fire and other battery-related incidents in the area.

The latest incident happened Monday afternoon in the Wades Grove neighborhood, where firefighters were dispatched to a reported residential structure fire. Units from Station 4 arrived in less than three minutes and found smoke coming from the garage.

According to the fire department, the cause was determined to be a lithium-ion rechargeable battery that had gone into "thermal runaway," a dangerous chain reaction that can cause a battery to rapidly overheat and catch fire. Fortunately, the fire had been extinguished before firefighters arrived.

The homeowner sustained minor injuries. Firefighters used positive pressure ventilation fans to remove smoke from the garage and throughout the home, helping return the residence to a safe condition.

The department said the incident is an important reminder that lithium-ion batteries can become a fire hazard when they are damaged, overheated or malfunctioning.

"Following two Lithium-Ion Battery fires and a near miss incident just this week, we continue to urge the public to take proactive steps to protect themselves and their families," the department said in a social media post.

The department is encouraging residents to visit the UL Fire Safety Research Institute's Battery Fire Safety website and to "take C.H.A.R.G.E. of battery safety."

Here's what that means:

C - Choose certified products

When buying devices powered by lithium-ion batteries, look for products that are safety certified or listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.

H - Handle with care

• Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
• Use only the charging equipment that comes with the product.
• Keep batteries away from extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, exits and flammable materials.
• Charge larger devices, such as eBikes, away from exit paths and outside the home when possible.
• Avoid charging larger devices overnight.

A - Always stay alert for warning signs

Check battery-powered devices regularly for signs of damage, swelling or punctures. Be aware of unusual hissing or popping sounds, excessive heat or unusual odors.

If you notice these warning signs, stop using the device immediately. White or gray wispy smoke is a sign of immediate fire danger.

R - Recycle devices and batteries properly

Old or damaged batteries should be disposed of through an appropriate battery recycling center. Never place batteries, chargers or battery-powered devices in regular household trash.

G - Get out quickly if there is a fire

Know the warning signs and leave immediately if a battery catches fire or shows signs of a dangerous failure. Follow your home's fire escape plan and call 911.

E - Educate others on safe practices

The fire department encourages residents to share what they learn about lithium-ion battery safety with friends, family members and neighbors.

The department's message is simple: If a battery begins to smoke, swell or overheat, move away from it if it is safe to do so and call 911.

See photos from Monday’s incident here.

Maury County Public Schools Continue Significant Five-Year Growth in TCAP Proficiency

From Maury County Public Schools’ website…

Maury County Public Schools students continue to demonstrate academic growth and improvement on the 2026 Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) exams, with proficiency rates increasing across several grade levels and subject areas compared to 2025.

Maury County Public Schools' five-year data shows notable gains in overall proficiency. Overall English Language Arts proficiency increased from 21% in 2021 to 35.6% in 2026, a 14.6% increase. Overall math proficiency rose from 17.8% in 2021 to 33.5% in 2026, a 15.7% increase, while overall social studies proficiency increased from 21.3% in 2021 to 43.3% in 2026, a 22% gain.

Several individual grade levels and courses also recorded substantial growth during the five-year period. Seventh grade math proficiency increased 20.6%, from 12% in 2021 to 32.6% in 2026. Fifth grade math increased 20.3%, from 16.3% to 36.6%, while fourth grade math increased 20%, from 31% in 2021 to 51% in 2026.

English II proficiency increased 19.5%, from 30% in 2021 to 49.5% in 2026. Fourth grade English Language Arts increased 18.7%, from 27% in 2021 to 45.7% in 2026, while sixth grade math increased 18.2%, from 15.7% in 2021 to 33.9% in 2026.

The school district also recorded year-over-year improvement in 18 of 21 measures with comparable data from 2025 and 2026. Overall math proficiency increased 3.3% to 33.5%, while overall social studies proficiency increased 3.5% to 43.3%.

Fourth grade math posted the district's largest year-over-year gain, increasing 9.2% to 51%. Other notable gains included seventh grade English Language Arts, which increased 3.7% to 29.8%; English II, which increased 3.4% to 49.5%; eighth grade math, which increased 3.4% to 29.7%; and fifth grade math, which increased 2.7% to 36.6%.

“We are encouraged by the growth and improvement our students have demonstrated over the past five years,” said Maury County Public Schools Superintendent, Lisa Ventura. “These results reflect the dedication and hard work of our students, teachers, school leaders, families and community. We have seen meaningful gains in multiple subject areas and across several grade levels, and we are proud of the progress our students are making. However, our work is not finished. We will continue to use data to identify areas of strength, provide targeted support where it is needed, and build on the momentum we have created to help every student reach their full potential.”

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Wednesday, July 29th

Thursday, July 30th

Friday, July 31st TN’s Tax-Free Weekend

Saturday, August 1st TN’s Tax-Free Weekend

Sunday, August 2nd TN’s Tax-Free Weekend

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Tuesday, July 28
Songwriters Round - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 6-9 PM

Thursday, July 30
Todd Ciprian - Tito's, 6-9 PM
A Night of Worship - The Mulehouse, 6:30 PM

Friday, July 31
TBA - The Spot: Burgers & Beer, 5-8 PM
Nick Bentley - Grinder's Switch Winery, 7-9 PM
Pepper Brooks - Southern Bayou Kitchen (Spring Hill), 7:00 PM
Herrick Duo - Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM

Saturday, August 1
Brittany McGee - Keg Springs Winery, 2-5 PM
Rett Stocstill & Lacie Lee - Boot Stompin’ BBQ, 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
The Vineyard Sessions - Natchez Trace Vineyard, 12-6 PM
Phillips Music - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3-7 PM
TBA - River Terrace, 6-8 PM
Curated Writers Round - The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
Radio Farm - Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM
Vinyl Radio - The Mulehouse, 8 PM
Nkahootz - The Boondox, 8 PM
Vintage Voltage - Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Sunday, August 2
Maddie Rose - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 1-5 PM
Greg Minear - Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 2-5 PM

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