fire in St Charles

[The Gray Hog]

Anyone have info on the house fire by Yankee Clipper area?

[KathieI]

Not Yet, but heard the sirens and had a few phone calls about it already. I really get nervous this time of the year about electric fires with all the lights and stringing wires all over the inside and outside the house. Be careful out there folks, it isn't worth losing your house...

[rshoffer]

Just went by on my bike. A beautiful NEW designer... total loss. Firemen didn't have a chance in this wind. Security watch said possible golf cart fire. What a tragedy on Christmas Eve.

[RayB]

I saw the smoke when I went out in my golf cart to get the newspaper. Drove over to the site and got there just after the fire dept. engines got their. Garage door was open and flames pouring out of the garage and out of the roof over the garage. Thought at first firemen could put out before spreading to whole house. However it was not to be as it took a long time to put out. Once fire broke through the roof the flame shot way up in the air for a long time. By the time the fire was out, house was entirely gone. There were very many fire engines, police cars, emergency equipment, ambulances, and looked like total gridlock in this cul-de-sac. Fire must have started in garage. House was frame with vinyl siding which added more fuel to fire. I was surprised how hard it was for the firemen to put out fire. Those fighting the fire really worked hard.

[graciegirl]

Oh no. So very sad and today, Christmas Eve.

[BobKat1]

No injuries I hope. Any reports?

[beachgirl]

How sad! Does anyone know exactly where the fire occurred? I am away from TV in South Carolina, but I live in a villa in St. Charles.

[GatbTester]

Got to feel so sad for the folks who lost their designer home to fire. One reason the fire may have looked so treacherous and shooting upward is due to the placement of the natural gas coupler that goes up into the roof of the house, making it easier to build the house in the first place. This has been the cause of many catastrophic fires here in TV whether weather related or not. It's about time the developer was called to account on this matter.:rant-rave:

[villages07]

Gatb.... I doubt gas lines were a factor in today's fire. St Charles is a new area, and, to the best of my knowledge, no gas is being installed there. Can't blame the developer this time.

[downeaster]

Why are so many house fires here a total loss when the response time is so good? I realize the gas lines could be a problem but they can be turned off easily.

I have heard the cathedral ceilings could be contribute. They create a natural flue with plenty of draft in a confined space.

It is troubling at best. BTW, I have a wrench for turning off the gas at the meter. I keep it where it is readily available and have shown my wife how to use it. I also have my garden hoses situated so I can reach all parts of the house. Those few minutes while the fire equipment is getting here can be critical.

[Snowbird]

We just purchased a designer home in St Charles, we are in WV now till Jan 3, we also would like to know what street the fire occured on? The previous poster is correct, there is no gas in the St Charles area. Thanks for any info..

[junebug7]

Our home is in St. Charles too! Does anyone know the address of the fire? We will be arriving down there on Saturday afternoon.

Thanks!

[Russ_Boston]

I'm glad to hear that everyone is OK.

If you think about it isn't it almost better to have a complete loss on the home than something than can be rebuilt? Not sure it would ever be the same if you only had to rebuild a portion (smoke damage etc.). Just a thought.

[F16 1UB]

Fire occurred in 2300 block of Baldwin Run according to this mornings paper. Total loss. Person moved in early Dec. Tragic!

[junebug7]

Thanks for the address F16. How very tragic for those residents. We are on Foggy Brook Loop so that house is in the cul de sac behind us. It is very scary though with 2 fires in such a short time.

[marianne237]

Village Watch told us the folks who lived there had only lived there about 3-4 weeks.

[Taltarzac]

http://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/articles/2009/12/25/news/news01.txt

[faithfulfrank]

As to the question about "why a total loss" when response times are so good, I'd like to comment.

I'm a professional firefighter, (19 years).

I am NOT familiar with the specific construction of the Villages housing, but I can tell you that most homes built today are NOT built to sustain any degree of fire. The code states that you should have 5/8" firecode drywall between the house and the garage, and also in the ceiling of the garage. If fire breaks through that, perhaps by way of a attic pull down stairway, etc, and you get fire in an attic, it is over.

Truss construction roofs cannot sustain any heat. The gussets are made of steel plates that are just pressed in. They fail in a fire. We have a saying in the fire service...."Don't trust the truss". In an older home, we go up on the roof, cut a vent hole to allow hot gasses and heat to escape, thus allowing us to find and put out the seat of the fire quickly. With truss construction, if the fire has been going more then 20 minutes or so, forget it.

Before truss construction, you had rafters made of thicker wood. There were more mass to them. They could even be a bit charred and still work. You had less glues, etc that would burn. A modern house, (with a basement) now has trusses for floor joists, roof joists, etc. making them dangerous in a fire. Many homes today sadly are just built to be disposable. That is one reason when I built my home 10 years ago, I have 2x10x28 ft rafters....no trusses.

The current big fight in the housing industry is the requirement of residential sprinklers. The national homebuilders association has fought this for years, but it recently passed. The new, modern residential sprinklers made for homes are nice, not ugly, and do not add much to the cost of a home. They do not leak, they do not accidentally go off, and they only go off in the part of a room where there is fire. They basically put out the fire before it amounts to anything.....before any fire truck gets there.

Frankly, I am surprised the new homes in The Villages do not have this.....at least as an option. It is a new requirement, but perhaps it is not totally in effect in Florida...I do not know, but if I lived there or were building a new house there, I'd be looking into it.

I almost installed it in the home I designed and built here 10 years ago, but the pex tubing it uses back then cost over $1.00 per foot.....now it is less then 20 cents a foot. The cost of residential sprinkler systems would only add 1 or 2 % to the cost of the home, and would lower your homeowners insurance. If I were building today, I would have it.

Please understand I am NOT in any way criticizing ANY homes in The Villages......I am just explaining current normal building standards in America.

Sorry for the long post. Frank D.

[Larryandlinda]

Fire occurred in 2300 block of Baldwin Run according to this mornings paper. Total loss. Person moved in early Dec. Tragic!
Sad, and like the one in Va Trace last week, another wake up call. We are sure that others like us would be very grateful for some tips and help with preparedness for such disasters, but even more for tips on prevention.

We would appreciate a workshop, seminar, town meeting, or even an updated pamphlet targeted to our 'Home Town' dealing with fire prevention.

Perhaps the local fire department and our own retired (and current) professionals and volunteers could help.

Further, just like any electrical project needs to meet code and have permits and inspections performed, we suggest the same for seasonal home decoration 'projects'

Because we did not see anything in today's online edition of the Sun, if anyone can forward us a link to the story, we'd appreciate that.

We're snowbound in Md.

L&L

[Taltarzac]

Sad, and like the one in Va Trace last week, another wake up call. We are sure that others like us would be very grateful for some tips and help with preparedness for such disasters, but even more for tips on prevention.

We would appreciate a workshop, seminar, town meeting, or even an updated pamphlet targeted to our 'Home Town' dealing with fire prevention.

Perhaps the local fire department and our own retired (and current) professionals and volunteers could help.

Further, just like any electrical project needs to meet code and have permits and inspections performed, we suggest the same for seasonal home decoration 'projects'

Because we did not see anything in today's online edition of the Sun, if anyone can forward us a link to the story, we'd appreciate that.

We're snowbound in Md.

L&L

http://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/articles/2009/12/25/news/news01.txt

[dillywho]

As to the question about "why a total loss" when response times are so good, I'd like to comment.

I'm a professional firefighter, (19 years).

I am NOT familiar with the specific construction of the Villages housing, but I can tell you that most homes built today are NOT built to sustain any degree of fire. The code states that you should have 5/8" firecode drywall between the house and the garage, and also in the ceiling of the garage. If fire breaks through that, perhaps by way of a attic pull down stairway, etc, and you get fire in an attic, it is over.

Truss construction roofs cannot sustain any heat. The gussets are made of steel plates that are just pressed in. They fail in a fire. We have a saying in the fire service...."Don't trust the truss". In an older home, we go up on the roof, cut a vent hole to allow hot gasses and heat to escape, thus allowing us to find and put out the seat of the fire quickly. With truss construction, if the fire has been going more then 20 minutes or so, forget it.

Before truss construction, you had rafters made of thicker wood. There were more mass to them. They could even be a bit charred and still work. You had less glues, etc that would burn. A modern house, (with a basement) now has trusses for floor joists, roof joists, etc. making them dangerous in a fire. Many homes today sadly are just built to be disposable. That is one reason when I built my home 10 years ago, I have 2x10x28 ft rafters....no trusses.

The current big fight in the housing industry is the requirement of residential sprinklers. The national homebuilders association has fought this for years, but it recently passed. The new, modern residential sprinklers made for homes are nice, not ugly, and do not add much to the cost of a home. They do not leak, they do not accidentally go off, and they only go off in the part of a room where there is fire. They basically put out the fire before it amounts to anything.....before any fire truck gets there.

Frankly, I am surprised the new homes in The Villages do not have this.....at least as an option. It is a new requirement, but perhaps it is not totally in effect in Florida...I do not know, but if I lived there or were building a new house there, I'd be looking into it.

I almost installed it in the home I designed and built here 10 years ago, but the pex tubing it uses back then cost over $1.00 per foot.....now it is less then 20 cents a foot. The cost of residential sprinkler systems would only add 1 or 2 % to the cost of the home, and would lower your homeowners insurance. If I were building today, I would have it.

Please understand I am NOT in any way criticizing ANY homes in The Villages......I am just explaining current normal building standards in America.

Sorry for the long post. Frank D.

What an excellent, informative post. Is adding the sprinkler system an option for existing homes or totally cost prohibitive?

[faithfulfrank]

I'm by no means an expert, but I would guess that the cost of installing it in an existing structure would be more expensive.
Oddly, I was supposed to attend a two hour training lecture on this subject last week, but had to miss it. I will try to get better info from my co-workers and report back.....sorry.

Frank D.

[gary42651]

I`m not an expert on sprinkler systems, but I am a plumber, most homes in the villages have attics and I don`t think it would be that hard to install a sprinkler system using pex pipe. Where I see a problem is with ``snowbirds`` , when they leave for extended periods of time, they shut off the domestic water system. My question is can the fire sprinkler system be connected to the lawn sprinkler system at the meter box.

[faithfulfrank]

Gary,
I'm more used to "northern" building, where you need to have the pex under the insulation. Each sprinkler head is fed by up to 5 lines of pex, making a "web system", insuring correct flows, etc.

You need to have it not be effected by softener systems, etc.
Up here anyway, once you take the two hour class (a tradesman, like a plumber), you can then submit a house plan to the manufacturer and they design the system for you, walk you through the install, etc. Then they certify the job and you to be a certified installer.

If the National code sticks for new housing, I see it as a good niche business for those with a plumbing /building backround. If the new house has pex for the house water, it could be included in the total bid.

If one does not mind working in a tight Florida attic with scissors trusses, etc, it could be installed in an existing structure. I'll have to find out about the possibility of having it come off the main meter.....we do not have lawn systems up here, so that will be a unique question give the guys.

My apologies if this is off topic to the original poster's question about the house fire.

Frank

[graciegirl]

Very interesting and very well presented.

But I would worry with our being gone so much that the system would go on sometime and wet the house and drywall and ruin it.

I too apologize for hijacking the thread which is rightfully sad thoughts for the home owners.

[zcaveman]

I`m not an expert on sprinkler systems, but I am a plumber, most homes in the villages have attics and I don`t think it would be that hard to install a sprinkler system using pex pipe. Where I see a problem is with ``snowbirds`` , when they leave for extended periods of time, they shut off the domestic water system. My question is can the fire sprinkler system be connected to the lawn sprinkler system at the meter box.

Not sure that would be a good idea for those that use reclaimed water in their sprinkler system. You might save the house but from what I understand the reclaimed water does not have a pleasant smell and might cause additional odor damage. Just my thoughts.

Z

[faithfulfrank]

Not sure that would be a good idea for those that use reclaimed water in their sprinkler system. You might save the house but from what I understand the reclaimed water does not have a pleasant smell and might cause additional odor damage. Just my thoughts.

Z

Ahhh.....I did not know your lawn sprinkler water was reclaimed. Sadly, mine in The Plantation is drinking water...I have the city of Leesburg water bills to prove it.

Gracie, that does not happen. It seems to be an unfounded fear from some against sprinkler systems....but the new systems are quite good, and accidental activations are unheard of. The heads themselves are flush with the ceiling, they do not hang down, and are not an eyesore. If it were to be a problem, insurance companies would not give a discount on them. If they were known to fail, they would cost insurance companies more...not less.

I am not "pushing" them...I have no gain in anyone having a residential sprinkler system.......(other then putting me out of a job as house fires would be less severe:o) Just trying to share some info. If I were building a new house, I would have it.

Frank D.

[gary42651]

Your right `Z` some of the reclaim water does come from the sewer plant. Most people shut off their water at the main valve in the house, not at the meter, so if you connect the fire sprinkler line in the meter pit you will by-pass the main shut off valve in the house, leaving your house protected while you are away. I`m not sure if it ever gets below freezing in the attics in Florida, but the nice thing about Pex pipe is that it won`t burst when frozen.

[animal lover]

Help - I guess I don't understand why the circuit breakers aren't doing their job and just tripping if there are overloads on the electrical? Why would a fire start?

As info -I did have a home inspection before my 1 year warranty was up on the house and the home inspector said we had the golf cart plugged into the wrong plug in garage. We have an Amarillo ranch and he said to plug the cart into the outlet on right garage wall because it has a dedicated circuit breaker.

[Larryandlinda]

Not sure that would be a good idea for those that use reclaimed water in their sprinkler system. You might save the house but from what I understand the reclaimed water does not have a pleasant smell and might cause additional odor damage. Just my thoughts.

Z
If you have a fire hot enough and widespread enough to set off the sprinkler, no matter where the water comes from, you're not going to come home to, nor wake up to, a home that smells like fresh flowers.

Even if you use Fiji water, you will be facing odors you might not like in the least - soaked carpet. glue, along with the smoldered and charred things that set it off will be quite offensive, not even thinking of the soaked and broken down drywall.

We would be very interested in sprinkler retrofits and would appreciate any results of what any of us finds out.

We especially appreciate the feedback from the plumbers and firefighters
Thanks for sharing and your service.
Those are often thankless (but not 'tankless') jobs

L&L

[Russ_Boston]

If you have a fire hot enough and widespread enough to set off the sprinkler, no matter where the water comes from, you're not going to come home to, nor wake up to, a home that smells like fresh flowers.

Even if you use Fiji water, you will be facing odors you might not like in the least - soaked carpet. glue, along with the smoldered and charred things that set it off will be quite offensive, not even thinking of the soaked and broken down drywall.


L&L

This is the main reason that I said in an earlier post that, other than losing your personal irreplaceable items, a total loss is not a bad option. I was a firefighter back in the day and water and smoke damage is no joy. I can't imagine your home would ever be really the same. Just my opinion.

The one thing we haven't mentioned here is that in both recent fires the Villagers true spirit came out and these people were welcomed with open arms into their neighbor's homes for as long as they need. Truly a communal spirit in TV!

[Larryandlinda]

[QUOTE=Russ_Boston;239691
The one thing we haven't mentioned here is that in both recent fires the Villagers true spirit came out and these people were welcomed with open arms into their neighbor's homes for as long as they need. Truly a communal spirit in TV![/QUOTE]

This sharing spirit is something we appreciate and would seem somewhat natural and expected, not an exception, for several reasons:

1. Most people move here not to get 'away' but to be 'near' their peers.
Inclusivity not exclusivity.
We are paying a premium to be 'included' into activities
2. Almost all homes are occupied by a minimum of one and maximum of two people
3.Almost every home is set up for guests

It all fits in to the plan.

Our rural homes outside TV are not part of such a planned community but we belong to several 'Warm Showers' and
'Hospitality home' listings in the RV, Antique Car, and Bicycle travel worlds

L&L

[2 Oldcrabs]

A few years ago I spilled 2 gallons of gasoline while working on my truck in my garage. It caught fire. Burned my truck and motorcycle. Took fire dept about 9 minutes to respond. Alot of gas to fuel the fire. Had sheet metal over the pull down stairs and a solid steel door to the house. Garage sustain heavy damage to contents, But did not burn thru the "firecoded" board. Wall studs and roof rafters not damaged. Inside house had smoke damaged from opening the house door after the fire. Building codes & building inspectors in Delaware saved our home!

[barb1191]

A few years ago I spilled 2 gallons of gasoline while working on my truck in my garage. It caught fire. Burned my truck and motorcycle. Took fire dept about 9 minutes to respond. Alot of gas to fuel the fire. Had sheet metal over the pull down stairs and a solid steel door to the house. Garage sustain heavy damage to contents, But did not burn thru the "firecoded" board. Wall studs and roof rafters not damaged. Inside house had smoke damaged from opening the house door after the fire. Building codes & building inspectors in Delaware saved our home!

2 Old Crabs (love that name)

Good point you bring to the table!! Obviously, the fire codes here are remiss in protecting our homes. What can we do to improve and protect our homes from these horrendous fires of late? Guess we need to educate ourselves re insulating the garage from this threatening disastrous situation, yes?

It seems that the two most recent fires both started in the garage, or at least the garage was the area that had the most damage at both recent disasters.

barb

[Martha Kaye]

There is a terrible burned out shell of a home on the beggining of Canal street. Been there since I have arrived here in Oct. Anybody know the story on that fire?? Also, how long can a black shell of a burned out house be left in that condition? Someone said this fire happened last summer.

[SteveFromNY]

There is a terrible burned out shell of a home on the beggining of Canal street. Been there since I have arrived here in Oct. Anybody know the story on that fire?? Also, how long can a black shell of a burned out house be left in that condition? Someone said this fire happened last summer.

I don't know specifics about thay fire, but there could be any number of issues delaying the construction or repair of the home. Consider insurance settlement and obtaining permits as 2 likely delays. Perhaps the folks aren't local. That could further delay everything. I am sure the owners are doing everything they can to expedite.

[Hawkwind]

The word that I heard today is that the fire may have started in the gas golf cart.

[chelsea24]

OK, this might provide a clue. Our neighbors almost had a fire, but they smelled that electrical burning smell in the garage and got it out just in time.

The builder's had put in the wrong volt to charge their golf cart!!!! This is important for all of you to check this. It seems on walk-through, they were told, like we were too, that this is the outlet to charge your golf cart. I think the voltage is 220??? I could be wrong on these numbers, and ours is correct. But our neighbor was using the correct outlet, but it was only wired as a 110!

Please, people, and new buyers especially, have your golf cart and all outlets double checked. We are in an electric village also. I sincerely think that's what happened in St. Charles. It sounds like it, if it started in the garage.

[skip0358]

With the recent electric problems I wonder if maybe the inspector should check a little closer. On the walk thru everything is done, almost impossible to check electrical circuits. As for the fire by the Polo grounds I have a pictur of the Christmas lites prior to the fire. I could belive an electrical issue. However again with the inspection. As for last weeks fire in St Charles if anyone was coming home, and opened there garage door as most do as they are approaching the house and there was a fire in the garage as was reported on this house. Guess what when you open an 18x8 foot door and alow that much oxygen fuel even a small fire it's no longer inside the garage and in no time your house is very much involved. We have and leave anything in our garages, lawn movers, gas for the mowers, electric golf carts plugged in abnd charging. We all complain of the heat in the garage and again where is everything kept. Granted the codes could be a little better. How many people have installed a heat or smoke alarm, or bought a fire extinguisher or programed the fire dept number in their phones.As for the house on Canal & Odell. It was a lightning strike. I was told it was a couple not married, his name was on the deed, not her's he died after the fire insurance co. will not pay the female companion, so it maybe some time yet.
Just another point of view. I too was a firemen for 42 years and saw a lot.

[Martha Kaye]

Thanks Skip. That answer makes sense about the house on Canal.

[Russ_Boston]

There's a very simple device from the home store that can check 110 vs. 220. Good to keep in mind.

Either way it shouldn't start a fire, just blow the circuit. But I'm no electrician!

[Talk Host]

Here is something that many people both ignore and think is a non issue. (I too was in the volunteer fire service for 20 years as both a firefighter and code inspector)

How many of you look to see if your electric appliances, Christmas lights and extension cords are "UL" approved. Many discount, dollar and clearance stores sell such appliances that do not have the approval of the Underwriters Laboratory.

I remember vividly back when I was doing my radio talk show, I was speaking about this exact thing. A few minutes later, I got a call from a woman who said she heard what I had said and walked into her dining room to check on of those electric light candles in the window. She said, when she walked into the room, it was ON FIRE and spreading up the drapes. She extinguished the fire with water. The candle had been purchased at a dollar store and was NOT UL approved.

[chelsea24]

There's a very simple device from the home store that can check 110 vs. 220. Good to keep in mind.

Either way it shouldn't start a fire, just blow the circuit. But I'm no electrician!

I agree Russ, you would think it would blow the circuit, but it didn't! Our neighbors said it was hot and smoke coming out. They are talking it up with the builder. Thank God they were both home and awake.

I didn't know there was such a device. Good to know.

[yobeano]

Just some info. I have a lengthy electrical background. I dont know how the outlets were wired in this case but if they were wired correct a device that is meant to be charged by 220 volts will not physically plug into an outlet made for 110 volts. Also a 220 volt outlet will not physically accept a 110 volt device. Of course, anything goes if they were wired incorrectly, but that should be able to be traced back to the panel for verification.

[graciegirl]

Help - I guess I don't understand why the circuit breakers aren't doing their job and just tripping if there are overloads on the electrical? Why would a fire start?

As info -I did have a home inspection before my 1 year warranty was up on the house and the home inspector said we had the golf cart plugged into the wrong plug in garage. We have an Amarillo ranch and he said to plug the cart into the outlet on right garage wall because it has a dedicated circuit breaker.

This is something that really needs some light shed on it.

Circuit breakers should break the circuit if they are overloaded. Electric one oh one.

Dedicated circuit breaker (!!??) should be marked. We have a gas cart, so I really didn't know about needing to plug an electric cart in the right plug. I think I will email The Villages again and link this thread. I hope that many of you will do the same.

[mulligan]

IMHO a thorough home inspection should pick up any outlets that are not wired correctly. I watched 2 different inspectors on my last 2 home purchases test every outlet( including range and dryer). While this may not prevent 100% of all electrical fires, I'll bet it would catch 98% of the problems present at the time of the inspection.

[skip0358]

The side by the POLO grounds where the last fire occured. When was that area built?? Asking because in the late 70 early 80 on Long Island we had Aluminum wiring being used. It was stopped after many fires some of which were deadly. Just asking. I know the new homes use copper just curious if the other side may have had aluminum. Also as I said earlier MAYBE the inspections are getting a little lax also in a few other posts people are also having electrical problems with there appliances.Just seems a little suspicious.But your right a breaker should break the circuit.

[bluedog103]

The side by the POLO grounds where the last fire occured. When was that area built?? Asking because in the late 70 early 80 on Long Island we had Aluminum wiring being used. It was stopped after many fires some of which were deadly. Just asking. I know the new homes use copper just curious if the other side may have had aluminum. Also as I said earlier MAYBE the inspections are getting a little lax also in a few other posts people are also having electrical problems with there appliances.Just seems a little suspicious.But your right a breaker should break the circuit.
Good point Skip. Improper wiring can overheat. Even copper of the incorrect guage can overheat. The breaker will trip if too much current (amperage) is being drawn but the wiring can overheat without tripping the breaker.

[Army Guy]

The burned house you see on Canal was caused by a lightning strike.

Army Guy

[yobeano]

Another electrical point. You could still have an overload on an extension cord that is rated for 8 amps but is plugged into a 15 amp recepticle. Remember the circuit breaker trips at 15 amps but you could have an awful lot of heat develop on an under-rated extension cord before the 15 amps is reached. The circuit breaker cant tell the difference between a normal load of say 10 amps and and a bunch of Christmas lights all daisy chained into this extension cord of 10 amps also.

[downeaster]

Another electrical point. You could still have an overload on an extension cord that is rated for 8 amps but is plugged into a 15 amp recepticle. Remember the circuit breaker trips at 15 amps but you could have an awful lot of heat develop on an under-rated extension cord before the 15 amps is reached. The circuit breaker cant tell the difference between a normal load of say 10 amps and and a bunch of Christmas lights all daisy chained into this extension cord of 10 amps also.

Excellent point, yobeano. A lot of people seem to think the circuit breakers are a fool proof prevention of electrical overloads.

Consider a toaster. Plug it into a wall receptacle and turn it on. Those little wires inside get red hot, right? If you plug a string of Christmas tree lights into a receptacle then plug a toaster into the lights, turn on the toaster and guess what? The Christmas tree light cord turns red hot. That string of lights is not designed to carry the load imposed by a toaster.

The old adage "a chain is only as strong as its weakest link" applies here.

[downeaster]

Just some info. I have a lengthy electrical background. I dont know how the outlets were wired in this case but if they were wired correct a device that is meant to be charged by 220 volts will not physically plug into an outlet made for 110 volts. Also a 220 volt outlet will not physically accept a 110 volt device. Of course, anything goes if they were wired incorrectly, but that should be able to be traced back to the panel for verification.

I had one wired incorrectly in a former home. The outlet went unused for years. When finally used for a floor lamp it burned the bulb immediately. After about three bulbs I called in an expert. He discovered the 110 outlet was wired for 220 instead of 110. Something about the ground prong (bare wire) being wired hot. Had I not discovered it right away it could have been serious.