A popular holiday gadget is being blamed for a house fire Sunday on Lori Lane in Chappaqua.

Fire officials say a family had just plugged in their newly purchased Swagway Smart Balancing Board when it exploded and caught on fire.

Even though the family quickly put the fire out, the floors were charred and there was smoke damage. Fire officials say if no one was home, the house would have been lost.

Local fire officials are urging people not to buy the product until problems have been fixed.

The devices use rechargeable batteries that are said to be 20 times stronger than the one in a cellphone. Because they have developed a reputation for catching fire, shopkeepers at the Powerboard Store at Ridgehill Mall strongly caution all their customers to carefully read the directions.

It's also important to make sure someone is in the vicinity when charging the device, so that when it turns green, it can be immediately unplugged so the battery doesn't overheat.