Uncertified wireless charger sparks fire that guts Medicine Hat home
Fire investigators say an uncertified wireless charging device with a detachable lithium-ion battery ignited while plugged in but unused, causing damage severe enough that the failed component could not be identified.
Why it matters
Fire officials say uncertified chargers and mismatched batteries have caused multiple fires in the region this summer, underscoring a growing household safety risk.
A wireless charging device purchased through Amazon started a major house fire in Medicine Hat on Aug. 24, leaving homeowner David Seney facing roughly a year of displacement. Seney was at work when a neighbour spotted smoke through his Ring doorbell and alerted him; he called firefighters and rushed home to find the blaze underway. The charger was plugged in but not actively charging anything at the time.
Kelli Ireland, a Fire and Life Safety Educator with Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Services, said investigators confirmed the device caused the fire but could not determine whether the battery, wiring or charging components failed first, as the device itself was destroyed. The blaze heavily damaged the bedroom where it was located and caused smoke and water damage throughout the home, which will need to be gutted to the studs in all but one room.
Ireland said the device lacked recognized certification marks such as CSA, UL or ETL, meaning it was never independently tested for safety before going to market. She noted fire crews have responded to several battery-related fires in Medicine Hat this summer, often involving mismatched chargers that fit a device physically but send an incompatible voltage, which can cause overheating. She also warned against charging devices on beds or under pillows, citing a past incident where a phone charging under a pillow ignited a fire.
Seney is now renting a furnished home while still covering the mortgage, utilities and taxes on his damaged property, and has opened an insurance-ombudsman case. He said the experience has made him wary of off-brand charging products and urged others to use chargers made specifically for their devices.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.