Shown here is the battery. It consists of approximately 6,800 lithium-ion battery cells. Your notebook computer probably has six similar cells. The battery pack has been designed so that a "runaway thermal reaction," or fire, won't occur if one battery cell overheats.
http://www.news.com/2300-11389_3-6229057-4.html?tag=ne.gall.pg
http://www.news.com/2300-11389_3-6229057-4.html?tag=ne.gall.pg
