Fort McMurray firefighters respond to two basement bedroom fires in one day

Laptop lithium-ion battery overheating determined as cause of second fire

 (Fort McMurray, AB – July 16, 2026) Fort McMurray firefighters were called out to two basement bedroom fires within 12 hours of each other, but were able to quickly bring both under control, limiting fire damage to the bottom floors of the homes.

Fire crews first responded to reports of smoke coming from the basement level of a Cardinal Drive home in the early morning of July 15. Two pumper teams, a ladder truck and EMS personnel, RCMP and utility crews responded.

The first teams reported that smoke coming from the basement was filling the main floor. Firefighters first used a window to access the fire. They quickly conducted an offensive attack and were able to enter the basement directly. Crews were able to stop further spread of the fire and quickly brought it under control.

The fire was isolated to the basement but caused serious smoke damage to the rest of the house. There was no one home at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported.

Regional Emergency Services fire investigators responded to the scene and are working to determine a cause.

Laptop battery cause of Brett Drive fire

Firefighters responded to the second call of a basement fire shortly after 10 a.m. that same morning. Two pumper units as well as paramedics responded.

Firefighters again conducted an offensive attack and quickly brought the fire under control. There were no injuries reported.

Fire investigators determined the fire was caused by an overheated laptop battery. Fire Marshal Nick Brenner reminds laptop users that laptops should not be used or charged on beds or other soft surfaces that could block cooling vents.

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