ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The City of St. Charles Fire Department recently shared a warning about a specific surge protector after discovering similarities between two recent fires in the area.  

The point of origin of both fires was a surge protector located near the external power shutoff area of HVAC units, according to the fire department. 

The warning identifies the SUPCO SCM150 as the model. St. Charles Fire Capt. Kelly Hunsel said the manufacturer issued a warning and replacement notice. 

She recommends anyone with that specific model to contact their HVAC service provider to have the device removed or replaced.

“There may be homeowners out there that have this faulty surge protector on their home and just have no idea,” Hunsel said.  

St. Charles County resident Debbie Landry was sitting inside her home in 2022 when a fire started around her surge protector.  

She had no idea the fire had started until smoke began to enter her home. She said it was the same model that the St. Charles Fire Department is warning about.

“We could have lost our lives,” Landry said.

Landry said she’s still shaken about the unexpected fire that caused significant and costly damage. 

“I don’t want anybody to have to go through what we had to go through,” she said.