Battery Fire Heavily Damages Historic Vancouver Island Bike Shop & Hostel

[Dave Rocks]

A late-night fire heavily damaged one of Vancouver Island’s most iconic mountain biking landmarks on August 16, gutting the interior of the historic Tarbell Building that houses Dodge City Cycles and the Riding Fool Accommodation.

following an official investigation, Cumberland Fire Rescue confirmed the fire was caused by a lithium battery. Fire officials reiterated safety warnings against leaving electric batteries charging unattended.

Full Story: fire-heavily-damages-a-historic-vancouver-island

 

[Art Deco]

That is the first time I've heard of that happening in a bike shop.

 

[DaveMatthews]

Dayum dudes... that is sad news indeed. Would love to hear the details on make/model of device that ignited...

 

[harryS]

In 2015, I bought my first bike from a shop in Madison, WI. They had a fire from a battery that winter and almost 100 ebikes were damaged.

 

[Cycologist]

I keep all my Lithium-Ion batteries in fire resistant battery bags and have fireproof blankets under my e-bike which has a non-removable battery.
Not sure how much that will help, but it can't hurt.

I never charge anything unless I'm home.

 

[Extreme1]

If you charge in the garage, put a couple smoke detectors on the ceiling. They are cheap insurance.

 

[PedalUma]

A RAD came in and I made him take the battery. I don't let any off brand bike batteries come in with names like Xhozi.