Lithium-ion batteries cause serious St. Catharines fire last week

Investigators say lithium-ion batteries caused a fire in St. Catharines last week that sent one man to hospital in critical condition.

The blaze – which has been deemed accidental – started around 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 7 in an apartment unit on St. Paul Street near James Street.

Firefighters arrived to find flames raging, with smoke billowing from the building’s roof.

Two off-duty police officers from Toronto and York Region who were in the area at the time of the fire were able to rescue a man inside of the burning building.

READ MORE: 2 off-duty police officers praised for saving man from fire in St. Catharines

Paramedics transported him to Toronto’s Sunnybrook hospital, where he remains nearly one week later.

Crews battled the fire for several hours before getting it under control.

Lithium-ion batteries are commonly found in smartphones, laptops, e-cigarettes and toys.

A spokesperson for St. Catharines Fire Services says due to their design structure, lithium-ion batteries can overheat and cause fires.

They say lithium-ion batteries should never be placed in the garbage. Rather, they must be disposed of at a battery recycling location.

READ MORE: Man in critical condition after fire in downtown St. Catharines