(image from Northern Bruce Peninsula Fire X page)
A home in Lion’s Head suffered significant damage in a fire, but thankfully no one was hurt.
Northern Bruce Peninsula Fire Chief Jack Burt says firefighters were called to a house fire on Bayfield Street in Lion’s Head just after 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, and worked overnight to extinguish a “stubborn fire” in the back of the home.
A family of four and their two dogs escaped the home safely.
“One of the occupants was outside at the time of the fire, and heard a working smoke alarm, opened the front door and realized the home was on fire,” Burt says. “It truly highlights the importance of working smoke alarms in your home. If this had of been in the middle of the night, with people sleeping, instead of the middle of the afternoon, it could have had deadly effects if the smoke alarms had not operated.”
“So please check your smoke alarms in your home today, and make sure they work,” Burt adds.
Firefighters from both Northern Bruce Peninsula stations in Tobermory and Lion’s Head, as well as Wiarton and Inter-Township were involved in the response.
Burt says the home suffered extensive damage. The estimate is $550,000.
The suspected cause of the blaze is lithium ion battery failure. Burt says it’s believed the battery overcharged, failed and caused a fire in the kitchen area of the home.
“It’s important to remember that we have a number of lithium ion batteries in our homes, somewhere between 30 and 40,” Burt explains. “It’s important you use the correct battery as recommended by the manufacturer, and don’t use knock-off batteries or cheaper batteries in your product.”
“Do not overcharge these batteries. When they overcharge they have a tendency to fail and they can cause a catastrophic fire very quickly,” Burt continues. “And if you damage or drop a battery, make sure you get it out of your home immediately. Get it outside and contact the fire department or local landfill to dispose of it properly.”
Burt adds firefighters are expected to remain on scene on Bayfield Street in Lion’s Head until around noon today to ensure there are no more flare-ups.