Lithium ion batteries blamed for 2 SRO fires in Vancouver
Firefighters responded to two fires at single-room occupancy hotels in Vancouver this week, both caused by lithium ion batteries – an increasing concern across the city.
Vancouver Fire Rescue Services said the first blaze broke out Monday night, resulting in smoke and water damage to multiple units of the SRO. The second fire was sparked one day later at another address.
In both cases, authorities said an E-bike with a lithium battery was being charged by a modified or makeshift charger – not the manufacturer's supplied or recommended power source.
"It's creating excessive heating and thermal runaway effects within these batteries, and there's so much energy and potential energy inside them that they will explode," said Capt. Matthew Trudeau. "It looks like fireworks going off, and the effects can be pretty devastating."
Fortunately, sprinkler systems contained both of the fires to individual SRO units until crews could arrive and finish dousing the flames.
Lithium ion batteries have been a growing concern for Vancouver firefighters, who said the city has seen a 500 per cent increase in battery-associated fires since 2016.
Lithium batteries have also been linked to five fire-related deaths so far this year – more than any other fire source.
On June 11, another E-bike exploded at the Hotel Empress in the Downtown Eastside, killing one man who fell from a window.
Trudeau noted the batteries don't need to be improperly charged to pose a potential danger.
"They do have a risk inherent with them," he said. "We've seen battery fires in laptops, in bikes. We've seen them from all kinds of sources – and that's proving to be very challenging, and it's occurring at a fairly high rate."
But the use of modified chargers is particularly risky. Crews have found some chargers with modified wires, or alligator clips attached, so they can power devices they were not intended to charge.
Trudeau said he's currently collecting data on battery-associated fires in the city – including the total damage caused by lithium-powered devices – to better understand how firefighters and the public can reduce the risks.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Cisco reveals security breach, warns of state-sponsored spy campaign
State-sponsored actors targeted security devices used by governments around the world, according to technology firm Cisco Systems, which said the network devices are coveted intrusion points by spies.
I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'oesn't get' the global phenomenom.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Student anti-war protesters dig in as faculties condemn university leadership over calling police
Students protesting the Israel-Hamas war at at universities across U.S., some of whom have clashed with police in riot gear, dug in Saturday and vowed to keep their demonstrations going, while several school faculties condemned university presidents who have called in law enforcement to remove protesters.
'Do I ghost her again?': Quebec minister's office ignores questions on housing as a human right
The office of Quebec Housing Minister France-Élaine Duranceau prefers to openly ignore journalists' requests.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
opinion RFK Jr.'s presidential candidacy and its potential threat to Biden and Trump
Although it's still unclear how much damage Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s candidacy can do to either Joe Biden or Donald Trump this election, Washington political columnist Eric Ham says what is clear is both sides recognize the potential threat.