WAREHAM, Mass. -- They were flying off the shelves before the holidays, but some consumers say toy helicopters are posing a danger.

NewsCenter 5's Lynn Jolicoeur reported that a local family's Heli 6000 toy helicopter caught fire while it was being charged.

"It made a little smoke then burst into flames," said Joseph Spinola.

Mike Fernandes and his father-in-law, Spinola, said they were sitting at the kitchen counter with other family members while the remote control helicopter was charging on the counter.

"We were just shocked, sitting here on Christmas and all of a sudden this little toy bursts into flames," Fernandes said.

Spinola said he dumped a drink on the fire to put it out. The Heli 6000 was purchased at a kiosk in the Dartmouth Mall called Santa's Toys for $36. A Web site listed on the toy's box, NewYorkToyFactory.com, says the company makes and sells toys with the "ooh-aah factor."

The helicopter is supposed to charge by plugging into the battery-powered controller, not a wall outlet. The Wareham residents said they have heard from other people whose remote control helicopters caught fire.

"They could put it in their house unattended and burn their house down or burn a child," Spinola said.

The vendor no longer is at the Dartmouth Mall, but a mall employee told the family the main office received numerous complaints about the helicopter.

NewsCenter 5 reached an answering machine at the manufacturer, but has not received a call back.

There is no recall on the helicopter and the state Division of Consumer Affairs said they have not received any complaints.