Recalled Samsung Note 7 possible cause of Horry County house fire Tuesday, September 6th 2016, 10:46 pm EDTWednesday, September 7th 2016, 12:09 pm EDT
By Josh Roberson, Reporter
Damage to the home's garage possibly caused by the Note 7 (Source: WMBF News)
An Horry County EMT thinks his cellphone could have led to his house catching on fire. (Source: WMBF News) HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) - An Horry County man is looking for answers after his garage caught fire over the weekend.
Horry County Fire Rescue investigators said the fire originated near a wall outlet where the man's phone was charging. The phone was a Samsung Galaxy Note 7.
The Note 7 has been recalled, and Samsung released a statement on Friday that said the company would stop selling the Galaxy Note 7 smart phone after it was determined there was an issue with the battery.
Wesley Hartzog said he plugged in his Note 7 to charge on Sunday and left his house to pick up his two daughters. When he returned, he found his home in flames and fellow firefighters surrounding it.
"Everybody was here and they were actually at the front door about ready to go inside and make the initial fire attack. Somebody told me that there was a fire in the garage. You know, you just don't really ever think it will happen to you." said Hartzog. "They asked me if I had anything plugged in in the garage. My cell phone, which was the new Note 7, was plugged in in the garage. I also had an air compressor plugged into the same outlet but the compressor wasn't on."
The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Samsung said that 35 cases of faulty phones have been reported since Sept. 1.
Hartzog said the house has now been condemned and he and his kids are forced to live in hotels for the time being.
"As soon as they can finish the investigation, and the insurance company for the home and Samsung can determine the exact the cause of the fire, whatever it may be, and then be able to move back in and somebody comes in and we're able to clean it up," he said.
To read the full statement from Samsung regarding the recall, click here.