Multiple structure fires over three days
Red Deer Emergency Services crews responded to three separate structure fires between Sept. 17 and 20, city officials said, including a house blaze caused by a malfunctioning lithium-ion battery while it was being charged.
Deputy fire chief Matt White said firefighters were called to a bungalow on Wigmore Close on the evening of Sept. 17. The battery fire started in the living area on the main floor and was quickly knocked down, but caused extensive interior damage to the home.
“It will require extensive repairs to be inhabited again,”
White said the home’s structure and exterior were not affected, and that four occupants had evacuated prior to the arrival of crews. One adult male was treated for smoke inhalation and transported to hospital in stable condition.
Battery fires on the rise
White told reporters Red Deer Emergency Services has noticed an increase in lithium-ion battery fires over the past couple of years. When these batteries fail they can produce intense heat and flame very quickly, increasing the risk of rapid fire spread.
Fire officials urged residents to follow simple precautions when charging or storing batteries:
- Use the charger that came with the battery.
- Inspect the charger and battery for damage before use.
- Charge batteries away from combustible materials.
- Supervise batteries while they are charging, rather than leaving them unattended.
Other calls: former motel unit and detached garages
Crews were also called to a fire inside a second-storey unit at the former Amethyst House just before 7:30 a.m. on Sept. 18. The building had been closed in July after health and safety concerns; the fire was confined to a single unit and extinguished quickly.
White said the building was searched and that no occupants were found inside at the time of the fire. The cause remains under investigation.
On Sept. 20, at about 3:45 a.m., fire crews responded to Ireland Crescent where two detached garages in close proximity were burning. Crews worked to prevent spread to nearby structures; details on damage and cause were not released in the initial media report.
Implications for residents and property owners
The recent incidents underline two practical points for homeowners and tenants: the growing hazard posed by lithium-ion batteries in everyday devices, and the ongoing public-safety risks associated with vacant or repurposed buildings.
For occupants of multi-unit or older buildings, the Amethyst House fire highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date fire-safety systems and ensuring that buildings flagged for health or safety concerns remain secure from unauthorised entry.
| Date | Location | Type | Noted outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 17 | Wigmore Close | House — lithium-ion battery | Extensive interior damage; one treated for smoke inhalation |
| Sept. 18 | Former Amethyst House (second-storey unit) | Unit fire | Confined to one unit; under investigation |
| Sept. 20 | Ireland Crescent | Detached garages | Two garages on fire; investigation ongoing |
Red Deer Emergency Services did not release any additional details about causes for the latter two incidents at the time of the report. The department continues to investigate each scene and will provide updates when available.
Practical advice from firefighters
Beyond the immediate investigations, the fire department’s message is straightforward and practical: treat lithium-ion batteries with care. Many household and recreational devices — from e-bikes to phones and power tools — use these batteries. When a battery is allowed to overheat, become damaged, or is charged with an incompatible or faulty charger, the result can be a sudden and intense fire.
Residents with questions about safe storage or charging practices can contact Red Deer Emergency Services for guidance, and landlords or building managers should ensure vacant properties are secured and inspected regularly to reduce the risk of fires caused by trespassing or illicit occupancy.
The recent string of calls is a reminder that small devices can present big hazards when precautions are not taken. For people in Red Deer, the fires underscore both the value of basic fire-safety steps and the ongoing workload of local firefighters keeping the city safe.
