The Minto Fire Department had its hands full with a recent structure fire in Harriston.
According to Minto Deputy Chief Callise Loos, at around 10 p.m. on Friday, October 10, crews were called to a serious structure fire in a residential garage.
Firefighters determined the cause was a lithium-ion battery that ignited and led to an estimated $500,000 in damages.
Minto and Wellington North stations responded, and quickly contained the blaze, which luckily resulted in no injuries.
Minto Fire Department is asking that people be aware of the risks that storing lithium-ion batteries can pose. Some safety tips include:
-Charge batteries away from flammable materials and never leave them unattended.
-Use only the charger provided by the manufacturer.
-Store batteries in cool, dry areas—never in direct sunlight or near heat sources.
-Do not use or charge damaged or swollen batteries.
-Recycle batteries properly at designated drop-off locations.
