‘Neighbours are paying the price’: Lithium battery pack leads to fire on Base Line Road
CTV cameras captured the moment London, Ont. firefighters discovered a sparking lithium battery pack in a charred apartment at 122 Base Line Rd. W. Sunday.
"It's a battery pack, a lithium battery pack,” shouted the firefighter out the window to his fellow crew members.
“It is an increased concern for us,” said Deputy Chief Matt Hepditch of the London Fire Department (LFD).
LFD told CTV News it's the probable cause of Sunday's blaze.
This isn't the first time it’s happened in London. In late March, an apartment on Ridout Street burned due to an E-Bike battery, and the same thing happened on King Edward Avenue in September 2022.
While it is occurring more often in London, New York City witnessed 219 fires related to those devices last year, prompting FDNY to put out a safety video this weekend.
“It’s very similar to unattended cooking, or lightning a candle,” said Hepditch. “When you are charging something with a battery, don’t leave it unattended. It could be a computer, laptop, cell phone, or E-Bike.”
At E-RIDE on Wellington Street in London, Matt Long said in 13 years of business, he's never had an e-bike catch fire.
“A lot of people are buying online instead of buying legitimate bikes from the store like ours,” said Long,
He believes people should spend the extra $200 to $300 to ensure they are getting a battery from a reputable company.
He'd also like a push to see the batteries regulated.
“Those cheaper bikes aren't certified; they should be UL certified,” said Long. “We see that happening a lot in New York and Australia where they've made it a law to have the battery stamp UL certified. People are paying the price and, unfortunately, their neighbors are paying the price.”
One of those neighbours is Michael Barrington. He is back home after being displaced Sunday.
He lives two floors above the apartment which caught fire, and also has an E-Bike.
“I charge my bike in my apartment because it'll get stolen 1,000 per cent,” said Barrington. “It wouldn't even make the night [if stored outdoors] but my charger is compatible for my bike. It’s from the manufacturer and that makes all the difference in the world as you can see.”
A restoration company is working on multiple units in this building. A worker on site told CTV News they hope to be able to get individual units repaired, and residents back home as soon as possible.
Those residents are currently staying at a local hotel with aid from Red Cross.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Canada Disability Benefit needs to be safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
Katy Perry's mom was fooled by AI images of the singer at the Met Gala
Katy Perry did not attend the Met Gala on Monday, but some of the singer’s fans – and even her mom – thought she did.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.