Norfolk fire department warns of hazardous batteries after Walsh, Ont. fire

The Norfolk County Fire Department is warning about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries after a structure fire in Walsh, Ont. on Monday night.

Firefighters say that just before 9:30 p.m. they responded to a fire at a former auto repair shop that is now used as a hobby shop for electric bikes, carts and equipment.

They say that the occupants of the building lived in the apartment above the shop and reported hearing a loud boom coming from below. The people in the home discovered their unit began filling with smoke and they evacuated, leaving with no injuries.

The fire department says there were several lithium-ion batteries in the building.

“When these batteries fail, they can enter a dangerous state known as thermal runaway, overheating rapidly, releasing toxic smoke, and potentially re-igniting even after the main fire is out,” the fire department writes in a release.

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Luckily, firefighters say they did not experience this kind of battery involvement in the fire. However, the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

It is not yet known the cost of the damage.

The Norfolk County Fire Department is providing a few tips on how to reduce the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries:

• Using only manufacturer-approved chargers and power adapters;
• Never charging batteries overnight or when unattended;
• Discontinuing use of batteries that are swollen, damaged, or overheating;
• Charging and storing devices away from combustible materials; and
• Ensuring smoke alarms are installed and working in any areas where batteries are charged or stored.

“We encourage residents to follow proper charging and storage practices to reduce the risk of a serious fire,” says Deputy Fire Chief James Robertson.

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