Winnipeg, MB – At 6:49 a.m. on Thursday, May 2, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service crews responded to reports of a fire at a two-storey residential dwelling in the 300 block of Anderson Avenue.
When crews arrived on scene, smoke was coming from the structure. They entered the building, launched an interior fire attack, and quickly extinguished the flames. The fire was under control at 7:09 a.m.
Two people were assessed by paramedics at the scene. One individual was transported to hospital in unstable condition.
Preliminary observations suggest the cause of the fire was accidental, caused by a lithium-ion vape pen battery overheating.
To avoid a fire caused by lithium-ion batteries, follow these tips:
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions
- Only use the battery designed for the device, with the charging cord it comes with
- Never charge a device on a bed, couch, or other flammable surface
- Keep batteries at room temperature
- Store batteries far away from anything that can catch fire