ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) — The cause of an apartment fire in Ithaca remains unclear.

Assistant Fire Chief Jim Wheal says several people called Monday night about a fire on the fourth floor of a building at 118 East Green Street. According to Wheal, lithium-ion batteries were involved in the fire’s spread. Firefighters remained on the scene into the early hours of Tuesday before leaving. There were no injuries reported.

Although the cause remains under investigation, the Ithaca Fire Department is offering some lithium-ion battery safety tips:

• Follow manufacturer’s instructions for charging, use, and storage.
• Avoid knockoffs. Look for Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Intertek (ETL) certifications.
• Watch where you charge. Don’t charge under a pillow or on a couch or bed.
• Store batteries in a cool and dry place. Don’t place devices in direct sunlight.
• Look for damage. Look for swelling or bulging batteries, extra heat, and strange odors.
• Call 911 if a battery overheats, changes shape or color, leaks, makes strange noises, or begins to smoke. If it is safe to do so, move the device away from anything that can catch fire and call 911.
• Do not store or charge e-bikes, scooters, or other electronic mobility devices in stairwells, on porches, or in other areas that function as your safe exit from your home. A fire involving them may block your exit in an emergency.