Calgary 
The Calgary Fire Department is urging residents to be careful with lithium-ion batteries after three separate fires in less than 24 hours were linked to or believed to involve the batteries.
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Two of the incidents involved electric scooters being charged inside homes.
The first happened around 9:25 a.m. on August 6 in the 0-100 block of Covercreek Mews NE. Firefighters found heavy smoke in an attached garage but no visible flames. Three electric scooters were removed, and investigators determined the fire started in one of them while all three were charging.
One person was assessed for smoke inhalation by Emergency Health Services Alberta. No other injuries were reported, and there was no fire damage inside the home.
Hours later, around 3:35 a.m. on August 7, crews responded to a commercial warehouse in the 6600 block of 106 Avenue SE. A fire was found in an exterior compactor and knocked down with an extinguisher.
Staff told investigators they had previously encountered compactor fires when lithium-ion batteries were unintentionally left inside boxes. Investigators determined that was the most likely cause in this case.
About 15 minutes later, firefighters were called to another home in the 0-100 block of Saddlemont Close NE. Smoke was coming from a basement entrance, but everyone had already made it outside. A cat was rescued and returned to its owners.
Investigators determined that fire started from an electric scooter that had been plugged in.
Following the incidents, the Calgary Fire Department reminded people to take simple charging precautions.
Residents are advised to unplug devices once batteries reach 100%, follow manufacturer instructions and use compatible charging equipment. The department also says to “avoid leaving batteries unattended while charging.”
Batteries showing damage, swelling, overheating or other deterioration should not be charged.
The department also cautions against placing lithium-ion batteries in blue, black or green carts and advises residents to learn how to dispose of them safely.
