Overheating laptop battery cause of one of two basement fires northern Alberta

An investigation is underway after the early morning of July 15, 2026, saw fires ravage two basement bedrooms in Fort McMurray.

An investigation is underway after a pair of fires ravaged two basement bedrooms in Fort McMurray on July 15. Both fires were said to have occurred within 12 hours of each other. An Incident report released by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) stated that fire crews were called in the “early morning hours” to respond to reports of “smoke coming from the basement level” of a house located on Cardinal Drive.

First responders shared that the smoke that was coming from the basement had made its way to the main floor of the house, forcing crews to access the house through a window. Once in the basement, crews were able to bring the fire under control and stop any further spread. It was reported that, although the fire itself was isolated, the smoke coming from the flames caused serious damage to the rest of the house.

No one was home at the time of the fire and EMS fire investigators are currently working to determine a cause. The second incident occurred at Brett Drive, around 10 a.m. Fire responders were able to bring the flames under control and fire could be traced to an “overheated laptop battery.”

No injuries have been reported at this time. Fort McMurray Fire Marshal Nick Brenner, in the release, cautioned residents against the use or charging of laptops on beds or other soft surfaces that restrict cool air flow. Related Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don’t miss the news you need to know — add FortMcMurrayToday.com, EdmontonJournal.com and EdmontonSun.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here.

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