E-bike batteries believed involved in Surrey fire Saturday

A dozen firetrucks and 36 firefighters were called out to battle a blaze at a Surrey strip mall Saturday evening, Assistant Deputy Fire Chief Rich Bodnark tells 1130 NewsRadio.

Crews were called out to the mall on 104 Avenue near Whalley Boulevard around 7:30 p.m.

“Upon arrival, crews were met with heavy smoke and flame coming from the roof and soffit of the building,” he said.

“Due to the potential fire load, a second alarm was called, sending additional fire trucks and personnel. The crew performed defensive operations.”

Firefighters fought the blaze until almost 11 p.m.

Bodnark says multiple businesses were affected by the blaze.

“There’s a fitness center, there’s an EV scooter store, and there’s a grocery store,” he said.

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.

“We’re not too sure what the exact cause was, but we know that the batteries did play a part in the fire load,” he told CityNews, adding that the exact cause is under investigation.

McNamara said no one was hurt, though a firefighter did get treated for heat exhaustion. 

He said e-bike and scooter 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.”

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.

— With files from Ridley Wilson and Jack Rabb