(NEWS 15) — Lithium-ion batteries, which power everything from smartphones to power tools, have caused nearly 200,000 structure fires across the United States over the past 15 years, according to federal government estimates. Grover Joseph Rees of Lafayette experienced the danger firsthand last year when a power bank charging his phone exploded in his pants pocket. "There were flames. And then at some point, I realized that the flames were on me," he said.