December 15, 2025 – A recent incident report from the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department’s Metro Arson Strike Team (MAST) details a structure fire linked to an MGI ZIP Navigator battery-powered golf bag caddy. Fire investigators suspect the product’s battery pack failed and ignited the blaze, though a conclusive engineering determination has not yet been made.
Product Details
Incident Overview
On November 25, 2025, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department’s Metro Arson Strike Team (MAST) responded to a structure fire in San Diego, CA. During their investigation, the team identified a battery-powered golf bag caddy, specifically an MGI ZIP Navigator with serial number UZXNV7212231622, as being involved in the incident. According to the fire investigator’s report, the product’s battery pack appeared to have failed, leading to the fire. It was noted that while the fire investigator observed the battery pack as the apparent cause, there were no engineering experts present to provide a conclusive determination at the time of the report. The specific retailer where the product was purchased was not identified in the incident report.
Safety Concerns
This incident, while still under investigation regarding its definitive cause, highlights potential safety concerns associated with battery-powered devices, particularly lithium-ion batteries commonly used in products like electric golf caddies.
- Immediate Dangers: A battery failure can lead to rapid overheating, thermal runaway, and spontaneous ignition. This poses an immediate risk of fire, which can spread quickly to surrounding combustibles, causing significant property damage. Smoke inhalation is also a severe immediate danger for anyone near the fire.
- Long-Term Risks: Beyond the immediate danger of fire, a defective battery can cause extensive property damage, loss of personal belongings, and potential structural integrity issues for buildings. Individuals exposed to such incidents may suffer from burns, respiratory issues, and psychological trauma.
- Who Might Be Affected: Owners of MGI ZIP Navigator golf caddies, their families, and anyone in the vicinity of the product during a malfunction are at risk. First responders are also put at risk when addressing fires caused by battery failures, which can be challenging to extinguish.
- Property Damage Potential: As evidenced by this incident being a “structure fire,” the potential for property damage is significant and can range from minor localized damage to complete destruction of property.
What Consumers Should Do
While the exact cause of the San Diego fire is still being investigated and is not yet conclusively linked to a product defect, consumers who own MGI ZIP Navigator golf caddies or similar battery-powered devices should exercise caution and follow safety guidelines:
- Immediate Steps to Take: If your MGI ZIP Navigator or any battery-powered device exhibits signs of overheating, swelling, unusual odors, or emits smoke, immediately move it to a safe, non-combustible outdoor area if possible, and evacuate the premises. Call emergency services (911) without delay. Do not attempt to extinguish a lithium-ion battery fire with water, as it can worsen the situation; use a Class D fire extinguisher if trained and safe to do so.
- How to Check If You Own the Affected Product: Check if you own an MGI ZIP Navigator golf caddy. While a specific serial number (UZXNV7212231622) was mentioned in the incident, it is prudent for all owners of this model to be vigilant.
- Prevention Measures:
* Always use the original charger provided by the manufacturer.
* Do not overcharge batteries; unplug them once fully charged.
* Store the golf caddy and its battery in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and combustible materials.
* Inspect the battery pack and charger regularly for any signs of damage, swelling, or unusual wear.
* Never attempt to modify or repair the battery pack or charger yourself.
* If you notice any unusual behavior from the battery or caddy, discontinue use immediately.
- Reporting Procedures: If you experience any issues with your MGI ZIP Navigator, particularly those involving overheating, smoke, or fire, report the incident immediately to MGI Golf Pty Ltd and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.cpsc.gov.
Manufacturer’s Response
MGI Golf Pty Ltd has not yet provided a response regarding this incident report.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
Our legal team has successfully represented clients in product liability cases involving defective appliances, automotive defects, medical devices, and consumer products. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.