.jpg)
5 hours ago
1
Article content
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.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.
- Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.
- Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.
- Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.
- Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
- Enjoy additional articles per month
- Get email updates from your favourite authors
Sign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
Mike McNamara, assistant chief of operations with the Surrey Fire Department, said it’s part of a growing number of difficult-to-extinguish fires that erupt when e-bike batteries burn.
Article content
Article content
McNamara said 36 firefighters and 12 trucks spent about six hours Saturday night fighting the fire that destroyed the business and appears to have damaged others nearby.
Article content
Article content
“They attempted to make entry, and they found that the smoke was extremely thick inside the building,” he said.
Article content
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Article content
“They got inside, they tried to find where the fire started, but it was very difficult because the involvement of the fire and the thickness of the smoke, and then it became a bit of a hazard for them.”
Article content
Crews focused on a “defensive attack” from outside and the fire was declared out around 1 a.m.
Article content
Photos from the scene show heavy black smoke and bright flames shooting from the top of the building.
Article content
McNamara said the cause of the fire has not been determined and no one was hurt, though a firefighter did get treated for heat exhaustion.
Article content
He said e-bike and scooter batteries can make fires harder to douse.
Article content
“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.”
Article content
McNamara said the department has created handouts to raise awareness of e-bike and e-scooter safety.
Article content
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.
Article content
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 29, 2025
Article content
English (US)