DREXEL HEIGHTS, Ariz. (KVOA) - A small garage fire was extinguished by a resident before fire crews arrived at the 800 block of Belltower Drive on Friday afternoon, according to the Santa Rita Fire District.

The fire started on a workbench where lithium batteries for remote-controlled airplanes were charging. The resident's wife smelled smoke and saw flames and heavy black smoke when she opened the garage door. She acted quickly to move a parked vehicle out of the garage.

Her husband used a garden hose to put out the fire and was assessed on scene for smoke inhalation but refused further treatment.

The couple plans to stay in a hotel for the night. The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

Santa Rita Fire District reminds the community to charge lithium-ion batteries on hard,

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