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CBC
13 hours ago
- Business
- CBC
E-bike shop in Surrey, B.C. destroyed in a weekend fire
Social Sharing Dozens of firefighters spent hours fighting a large blaze that destroyed an e-bike shop in Surrey, B.C. over the weekend. It took 36 firefighters about six hours to put out the fire at EV Revolution, an electric bike and scooter store in a strip mall, in the Whalley neighbourhood. The Surrey Fire Service was called to the scene at 104 Avenue and 139 Street on Saturday, just after 7 p.m. Mike McNamara, assistant chief of operations with the Surrey Fire Department, said crews initially entered the building, but were forced to retreat due to intense heat and thick smoke. Firefighters then shifted to a defensive attack from outside, as conditions inside quickly became too dangerous to continue. "[Firefighters] exited the building just in case the ceiling came down … and the ceiling did come down," McNamara said. No one was injured, but one firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion. Crews said the fire was declared out on Sunday around 1 a.m. In a statement shared after the fire, EV Revolution said it wanted to clear up speculation about the cause. "This fire was not started by e-bikes," according to the statement. "This fire was caused by an old outdated electrical system in the attic." The business said it had shut off all its power at 5 p.m. and the fire started two hours later. The Surrey Fire Department is still investigating the cause of the fire. In the meantime, McNamara confirmed lithium batteries in the building contributed to the fire's intensity once it was underway. "We know that the batteries did play a part in the fire load," he said. "The thermal runaway starts moving in the batteries and then they heat up quicker than they dissipate. And then that fire just grows and grows and it's very difficult to extinguish for us." WATCH | Concerns raised over e-bike batteries after hotel explosion: Concerns raised over e-bike batteries after hotel explosion 3 years ago Duration 1:59 Concerns are being raised about the safety of poor quality e-bike batteries after an overcharged or faulty one became the suspected cause of a deadly hotel fire in Vancouver. He said crews were fortunate the building had a firewall, which protected neighbouring businesses from more extensive damage. The plaza also has a grocery store, fitness centre and beauty supply shop. EV Revolution said it plans to move to a new location by August. The fire service is using the incident as a reminder for residents to be cautious with battery-powered devices heading into the summer. Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries have become more common in recent years, including some that have been fatal in Vancouver. McNamara said the department has created handouts to raise awareness of e-bike and e-scooter safety. Some of the tips include not using aftermarket chargers, as well as keeping them out of direct sunlight and hot vehicles, so they don't get too hot.
Globe and Mail
17 hours ago
- General
- Globe and Mail
Large fire destroys Surrey e-bike store, damages other businesses
Dozens of firefighters in Surrey, B.C., spent hours fighting a large blaze at a store selling e-bikes, where smoke was so thick that crews had to battle the flames from outside. Mike McNamara, assistant chief of operations with the Surrey Fire Department, says its part of a growing number of difficult-to-extinguish fires that erupt when e-bike batteries burn. McNamara says 36 firefighters and 12 trucks spent six hours Saturday night fighting the fire that destroyed the business and appears to have damaged others nearby. He says crews were initially able to enter the building but the flames and thickness of the smoke forced them to focus on a 'defensive attack' from outside. Toronto fire chief warns of lithium-ion batteries' risks after e-bike fire on subway Photos from the scene show heavy black smoke and bright flames shooting from the ceiling. He says the cause of the fire has not been determined and no one was hurt, though a firefighter did get treated for heat exhaustion. McNamara says e-bike batteries can make fires harder to douse. 'The lithium, and some of the chemicals inside of them too, they don't put out very easily,' he said. 'So it just becomes difficult for firefighters. And they burn really hot too, so it spreads the fire very quickly.'
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Large fire consumes Surrey, B.C., e-bike store, requires 36 firefighters
SURREY — Dozens of firefighters in Surrey, B.C., spent hours fighting a large blaze at a store selling e-bikes, where smoke was so thick that crews had to battle the flames from outside. Mike McNamara, assistant chief of operations with the Surrey Fire Department, says its part of a growing number of difficult-to-extinguish fires that erupt when e-bike batteries burn. McNamara says 36 firefighters and 12 trucks spent six hours Saturday night fighting the fire that destroyed the business and appears to have damaged others nearby. He says crews were initially able to enter the building but the flames and thickness of the smoke forced them to focus on a "defensive attack" from outside. Photos from the scene show heavy black smoke and bright flames shooting from the ceiling. He says the cause of the fire has not been determined and no one was hurt, though a firefighter did get treated for heat exhaustion. . McNamara says e-bike batteries can make fires harder to douse. "The lithium, and some of the chemicals inside of them too, they don't put out very easily," he said. "So it just becomes difficult for firefighters. And they burn really hot too, so it spreads the fire very quickly." This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 29, 2025 The Canadian Press Sign in to access your portfolio
