Calgary firefighters responded to three fires involving lithium-ion batteries over roughly 18 hours, including two residential fires investigators determined originated from electric scooters.
The Calgary Fire Department said the first fire was reported at about 9:25 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at a home in the 0-100 block of Covercreek Mews N.E.
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Firefighters arrived at the two-storey home to find smoke staining around the attached garage door. The occupants were outside when crews arrived.
Crews entered the garage through an interior access door and encountered thick, dark smoke but no visible flames.
A fire investigator removed three electric scooters from the garage and determined the fire originated from one of the scooters while all three were being charged, according to Calgary Fire.
The department said there was no fire damage inside the home.
One occupant was assessed for smoke inhalation by Emergency Health Services Alberta. No other injuries were reported.
Battery suspected in commercial compactor fire
At about 3:35 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7, crews were dispatched to a large commercial warehouse in the 6600 block of 106 Avenue S.E.
Staff had already left the building and the alarm system was active when firefighters arrived.
Crews located a fire in an exterior compactor and used a fire extinguisher to knock it down.
Calgary Fire said staff told an investigator they saw a glow coming from boxes immediately before the fire.
Staff also reported previous compactor fires caused by lithium-ion batteries inadvertently left in boxes going through the equipment.
The department said the investigator determined this was the most likely cause of Friday’s fire.
Electric scooter linked to basement fire
About 15 minutes later, firefighters were called to a home in the 0-100 block of Saddlemont Close N.E.
Crews arrived to find smoke coming from a side basement door.
All occupants had already left the home and no injuries were reported.
Firefighters entered the basement in low visibility and quickly knocked down the fire.
A cat was rescued from another part of the home and reunited with its owners.
The fire was contained to the basement suite.
A Calgary Fire investigator determined the fire originated from an electric scooter that had been plugged in.
Why lithium-ion batteries can become dangerous
Lithium-ion batteries are used in products including smartphones, laptops, e-scooters, e-bikes, e-cigarettes, toys, electric power tools and electric vehicles.
Calgary Fire says fires and explosions can occur when batteries are damaged, improperly stored or disposed of, misused, overcharged or have not been manufactured to proper safety standards.
The department says internal chemical reactions in high-capacity batteries can lead to thermal runaway, a process in which a failing battery begins to self-heat.
Temperatures can reach as high as 537 C, according to Calgary Fire.
That heat can further damage a battery cell and release flammable and toxic gases. In batteries made up of multiple cells, the heat can spread to other cells, causing them to heat up and fail as well.
The National Fire Protection Association also says lithium-ion batteries store a large amount of energy in a small space. According to the NFPA, the batteries can catch fire or explode if damaged or not used correctly, while a small number of defective batteries can overheat, catch fire or explode.
Calgary Fire warns that larger, high-capacity batteries, including those used in e-bikes and scooters, can create a large fire very quickly.
The department says that from the first sign of a problem, people could have less than a minute to escape a lithium-ion battery fire.
Fire department urges safe charging
Calgary Fire is reminding Calgarians to follow safe charging practices, including using certified batteries and chargers and following manufacturer instructions.
The department advises people to unplug devices once batteries are fully charged and avoid leaving batteries unattended while charging.
Its online safety guidance also advises against charging batteries overnight or charging devices under pillows, on beds or on couches.
Calgary Fire also warns against leaving mobility devices unattended while charging in exits such as doorways and hallways, saying a fire could block an escape route.
The department says people should stop using a battery if they notice an unusual odour, change in colour, excessive heat, swelling or another change in shape, leaking, hissing or popping sounds, or white or grey smoke.
For larger batteries, including those used in e-bikes and scooters, Calgary Fire advises people not to try to extinguish the fire themselves. The department says people should leave the area immediately and call 911.
Batteries should stay out of household carts
Calgary Fire also warns against putting lithium-ion batteries in blue, black or green carts.
The department says batteries can be crushed by equipment, creating a risk of fires at recycling, composting and landfill facilities.
Calgary Fire says batteries should instead be separated and taken to a battery recycling retailer for safe handling.
The NFPA similarly advises against putting lithium-ion batteries in trash or regular recycling bins because they could start a fire and recommends taking batteries or devices to a safe battery recycling location.
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