Firefighters contain lithium battery fire at Newmarket building

Fire generic

A quick response from firefighters prevented a lithium battery fire from escalating inside a building in Newmarket Monday afternoon.

Crews were called to an industrial building on Ringwell Drive the area of Kerrisdale Boulevard and Harry Walker Parkway after receiving reports of smoke.

When firefighters arrived, they found two skids containing multiple lithium battery cells on fire inside the building. They used fire blankets and extinguishers to douse the flames.

Officials say once the fire was under control, the skids were removed from the building.

No injuries were reported.

Four fire trucks and 20 firefighters were dispatched to the scene, along with police and paramedics. The cause of the fire has been confirmed as lithium battery-related, a growing concern for emergency services due to the volatile nature of battery cells when damaged, overcharged or improperly disposed.

"Remember to not toss batteries in the trash or blue bin as they can spark or cause fires. Store them in a cool, dry place, tape the terminals and never mix new and used batteries," the fire service noted.