HoverBoards on fire: a look at what's causing this popular gizmo to ignite

Hoverboards like the one seen here won't be allowed on flights by America's top three airlines, which are citing a potential fire hazard related to the self-balancing scooters' powerful lithium-ion batteries.

()

You may have seen people riding hoverboards around town. They look like a cross between a Segway and a skate board, but instead of pushing off with one leg, a battery powered motor propels it along while you stand on it facing forward.

You may have seen people riding hoverboards around town. They look like a cross between a Segway and a skate board, but instead of pushing off with one leg, a battery powered motor propels it along while you stand on it facing forward.

It's become one of the hottest holiday gifts of the season, literally.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating over ten reports of hoverboards spontaneously catching fire.

Amazon has pulled some of them off their site and all of the US's largest airlines have banned them from flights.

Matt McFarland is the Innovations Editor for the Washington Post and gives A Martinez the details.