'Manipulated' lithium-battery devices the leading cause of fire deaths in Vancouver
While the electric revolution continues gaining momentum, led by lithium-powered e-bikes and e-scooters, so too does a disturbing trend of devastating fires.
“We’ve had over 20 lithium-ion battery fires in 2022,” said fire prevention officer Dave Meers of Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (VFRS).
“Five of those have been fire deaths. Those are huge, huge numbers.”
Officials say lithium-ion-battery-caused fires have increased 500 per cent since 2016. Meers says the fires spread fast, posing multiple safety risks.
“A process happens called thermal runaway, whether they (the batteries) start an explosive fire and they actually release a lot of toxic gasses,” said Meers. “That sometimes gets missed in these conversations.”
He says in his experience, lithium-ion-battery-powered devices have rarely caused fires when used and stored properly. However, the emerging trend of modifying chargers and batteries has dramatically increased the fire risk.
“They do start fires when they’ve been manipulated,” said Meers. “Don’t tamper with it or modify it.”
A quick search on YouTube brings up a seemingly endless amount of videos in how to get more power or speed out of virtually any lithium-powered device.
Earlier this week, two fires occurred at separate Vancouver SRO buildings, linked to modified e-bike chargers.
One battery expert told CTV News that with the rise of lithium-powered products, he’s noticed a glaring issue in quality control.
“An awful lot of uncertified batteries (are) coming to the market place,” said Richard Granholm, president of Battery World.
“Buy from a reputable dealer.”
He says he’s seen third-party batteries causing issues in products including e-bikes. One customer, he says, tried bringing in a modified e-bike to his store to request help with the battery. He refused, based on liability with the manipulated battery. He claims the battery exploded in the parking lot.
“It was like roman candles going off,” said Granholm. “A lot of people are opening them up, replacing cells, which isn’t really a great idea.”
With the majority of lithium-ion-battery-caused fires occurring in SROs, VFRS is launching an awareness campaign to educate tenants of the dangers in using and storing e-bikes, e-scooters and similar items.
Some tips include charging and storing the items away from anything that can catch fire and to keep the batteries at room temperature. Also, VFRS strongly discourages anyone from modifying their own devices.
Meers also suggests if the problem persists, a change to the fire code could be on the table.
“Something we could say is these items need to be charged outside or in a secure area,” said Meers, admitting he was speaking hypothetically.
He says other fire departments in major cities across North America are grappling with a similar issue, and believes more regulation on manufacturing could be a possible solution if the disturbing trend continues.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Explosion at train station leads to discovery of stolen car on Montreal's South Shore: police
Police are investigating after a BMW exploded in the St-Lambert Exo train station parking lot on Montreal's South Shore.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
A candidate for Germany's key party was beaten up while campaigning for European elections
A candidate for Chancellor Olaf Scholz's center-left party in next month's election for the European Parliament was beaten up and seriously injured while campaigning in an eastern city, the party said Saturday.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.