News Release
Edmonton Fire urges battery safety following early morning multi-residential fire
Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) is urging residents to exercise extreme caution with lithium-ion batteries following an early morning townhouse fire in southeast Edmonton that caused an estimated $470,000 in property damage.
Early this morning at 2:29 a.m., EFRS received reports of a multi-residential structure fire near 46 Street and 21 Avenue. Crews arrived on scene to an affected townhouse unit and immediately called a second-alarm fire to bring in additional firefighters for support.
The fire was brought under control at 4:08 a.m. and officially declared out at 9:06 a.m. No injuries were reported; however, 11 displaced residents from the wider complex are being assisted by the City of Edmonton’s Emergency Support Response Team.
Investigators confirmed the cause was a lithium-ion battery malfunction. This marks Edmonton’s 20th lithium-ion battery fire this year, bringing cumulative local property damage from these devices to over $2,100,000. The incident mirrors a growing safety concern across North America, with Toronto Fire Services reporting 93 battery fires so far this year and New York City logging 282 as of late August.
“Although currently less frequent than some of our other leading causes of fires, lithium-ion battery fires are extremely dangerous to residents and property and are a rapidly growing concern for the fire service,” said Graeme McAlister, Deputy Fire Chief, Community Safety and Risk. “Fire moves fast. From the first sign of a problem, you could have less than a minute to escape a lithium-ion battery fire. The best way to be safe is to understand the risks of lithium-ion batteries and to always practice caution with them.”
Lithium-ion batteries, commonly found in power tools, e-bikes, smartphones, laptops and toys, store significant energy and burn at extreme temperatures if damaged, misused or improperly charged.
Crucial battery safety precautions
Use approved equipment: Always use manufacturer-certified batteries and chargers. Avoid charging devices overnight or leaving them plugged in longer than necessary.
Protect escape routes: Never charge devices in entryways, hallways or near doors where an active fire could block your exit.
Watch for warning signs: Stop using a battery immediately if you notice excessive heat, swelling, leakage, strange odours, colour changes or unusual noises.
Dispose safely: Never toss lithium-ion batteries into household trash or recycling bins. Drop them off for free at a City of Edmonton Eco Station or participating retail partner.
Emergency action: If a small device smokes, safely move it away from flammable materials if possible, evacuate and call 9-1-1. For active fires or larger batteries, leave the building immediately, activate the building alarm and call 9-1-1 from a safe distance.
For detailed safety resources, visit edmonton.ca/HomeFireSafety or edmonton.ca/Batteries.
Pinoy Edmonton News 