Linden Avenue explosions likely began with overheated batteries: Kamloops Fire Rescue

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops Fire Rescue says nobody was injured after several explosions occurred at a home along Linden Avenue Thursday night (Apr. 9).

Crews were called to the scene around 5:30 p.m Thursday, where a small shop behind a home had caught fire. There were more small explosions after firefighters arrived on scene, but they were able to quickly extinguish the flames.

Platoon Captain Darryl Cooper says the homeowner was reportedly charging batteries in the shop, which may have over heated.

“Again like I say there was a lot of mixed combustibles in the building, some gasoline and everything like that. We think that the vapours from the gas built up that balloon and caused that initial explosion and then there were some compressed gases that heated up and exploded.”

There were minor impacts to nearby homes in the North Shore neighbourhood, but the bulk of the fire’s damage was contained to the back shed.

“No injuries thankfully,” notes Cooper. “There was some concern — family of four — the kids were playing in the backyard but they were out front when it happened. The husband went and started putting a garden line on the fire when an explosion hit and knocked him to the ground. But he wasn’t hurt. So all in all, very lucky.”