Calgary fire officials warn of rising lithium-ion battery fires after three recent incidents
Calgary Fire Department warns of lithium-ion battery fires after three incidents this week involving charging electric scooters and a warehouse compactor, urging safer charging and disposal.
The Calgary Fire Department says a series of three separate fires tied to lithium-ion batteries this week prompted renewed warnings for residents and businesses across the city. Fire crews attended a house fire in Coventry Hills, a large commercial property in the city’s southeast, and a residential blaze in Saddle Ridge, all of which investigators linked to batteries used in electric scooters or discarded in packaging. Officials say the uptick in lithium-ion battery fires has already pushed the Calgary Fire Department’s 2026 total past last year’s numbers.
Coventry Hills house blaze traced to charging e-scooter
Firefighters were dispatched to a home on Covecreek Mews Northeast shortly before 9:30 a.m. on Thursday after neighbours reported smoke and flames. Paramedics assessed one person for smoke inhalation at the scene, and no further serious injuries were reported. A Calgary Fire investigator determined the blaze originated with an electric scooter that was plugged in and charging at the time.
Exterior compactor fire at southeast warehouse
An unrelated emergency call shortly after 3:30 a.m. on Friday brought crews to a large commercial warehouse in the 6600 block of 106th Avenue Southeast, where they found a fire in an exterior compactor. Warehouse staff told firefighters they had observed a suspicious glow coming from boxes placed in the compactor before the blaze took hold. Employees also said past incidents in the same compactor had been linked to lithium-ion batteries being discarded inside cardboard boxes.
Second charging fire in Saddle Ridge minutes later
About 20 minutes after the warehouse call, crews were sent to a home on Saddlemont Close Northeast in Saddle Ridge where another electric scooter was on fire while charging. Firefighters extinguished the device and contained the incident without additional injuries reported. The proximity of these events reinforced concerns among fire officials about common charging and disposal practices.
Calgary Fire records for 2026 exceed 2025 total
Calgary Fire Department officials confirmed the service has responded to 21 lithium-ion battery fires so far in 2026, surpassing the 19 incidents recorded for all of 2025. The department says the increase reflects both the growing prevalence of battery-powered devices in homes and workplaces and persistent unsafe behaviours around charging and disposal. Fire authorities cautioned that even small batteries can trigger intense, fast-moving fires if they are damaged, improperly stored, or left connected after reaching full charge.
Safety guidance from firefighters and recycling advice
CFD is advising Calgarians to follow simple precautions to reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery fires, including avoiding prolonged charging once a device reaches 100 per cent and never charging damaged or swollen batteries. The department emphasized charging devices on non-flammable surfaces, using manufacturer-approved chargers, and keeping charging stations away from combustible materials. Officials also urged residents and businesses to refrain from placing batteries in household waste or loose into cardboard boxes destined for compactors or recycling dumpsters.
Proper disposal channels and municipal resources
Fire officials stressed that batteries showing signs of overheating, swelling, puncture damage, or other defects should be taken to designated recycling or hazardous-waste facilities rather than being discarded with regular refuse. Calgary’s municipal waste and recycling programs, along with specialized e-waste drop-off sites and many retail partners, offer safe battery recycling options. The Calgary Fire Department recommended contacting local waste services for guidance on accepted drop-off locations and packaging requirements to reduce the risk of fires during transport and processing.
The recent cluster of incidents in Coventry Hills, the southeast warehouse area and Saddle Ridge has prompted CFD to renew public messaging on battery safety and to coordinate with businesses about safe waste-handling practices. Fire investigators continue to examine individual scenes to confirm causes and to identify any patterns that could inform future public safety campaigns.
Calgary residents are being asked to report any suspicious or smouldering items to 9-1-1 immediately and to consult official city resources for information on battery recycling and safe charging practices. The department said quicker reporting and safer handling can limit damage and prevent injuries linked to lithium-ion battery fires.
