Vancouver Fire shares safety tips as report finds increase in fire-related deaths

Vancouver firefighters say there’s less time than ever to escape a house fire, as B.C. reports an increase in fire-related deaths.

“Fire and smoke travels incredibly quick today. You have the least amount of time to escape your home in basically all of history. Fires are developing quicker and hotter and producing more toxic levels of smoke when they do ignite,” Matthew Trudeau, a public information officer with the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services (VFRS), said.

“The amount of time each year keeps shrinking because of the nature of combustion materials in your home.”

Vancouver firefighters say there’s less time than ever to escape a house fire, as an incident report from the B.C. government reports an increase in fire-related deaths. (Angela Bower/CityNews)

The fire department says most fires start because of items used for smoking like matches and lighters.

“We have seen discarded cigarettes, for instance, onto combustible materials and they will start igniting after a period of time. Even … we are seeing an influx of butane torches where they have a locking mechanism on so somebody can drop them and the flame stays lit still,” he explained.

VFRS says it is also seeing more flames and explosions sparked by rechargeable batteries, something it issued a warning about last month. It notes out of the 10 people who died in fires last year, five of those deaths were due to battery fires.

Although Trudeau says batteries are “inherently safe,” he adds there are risks — especially if a battery has been modified.

He is urging people not to overcharge E-bikes, batteries, and other electronics.

Fire extinguishers and alarms 

While people are being urged to be aware, Trudeau says there are ways for you to help protect your home from going up in flames.

The service recommends knowing how to use a fire extinguisher and having one on hand.

CityNews reporter Angela Bower learns how to use a fire extinguisher with a member of the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services. (Angela Bower/CityNews)

Kelsey Forsythe, a public education specialist at the VFRS, says people can remember the steps by following a simple acronym: P.A.S.S.

“The first step is P – pull the pin,” Forsythe said.

After pulling the pin, you then aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire, squeeze the handle, and sweep the spray from side to side.

In addition to an extinguisher, Trudeau adds it’s important for people to have working fire alarms on every level of their home, and to also have an escape plan in case of emergencies.

CityNews reporter Angela Bower learns how to use a fire extinguisher with a member of the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services. (Angela Bower/CityNews)

Meanwhile, for people with mobility challenges, Forsythe says wrapping a blanket around the person can be an alternative to the “stop, drop, and roll,” method of dousing the flames.

Even if you are able to put out a fire on your own, Trudeau says you should always call 911 and report it to make sure the flames are completely out.

He says in one case, people thought a fire was out but it ended up spreading and causing further damage.

“A recent home fire was a pot-on-the-stove-type fire. The people thought it was out and it did spread up into the cabinets, into the roof, and was pretty serious,” he said.

According to the latest fire incident report from the B.C. government, there were over 75 fire-related deaths in 2022, up from nearly 60 the previous year.

More than 9,000 fires were reported in 2021, and more than 57 per cent of them occurred on the Lower Mainland.

With files from Cole Schisler