A container filled with lithium batteries caught fire Monday afternoon at the Port of Montreal. The Montreal Fire Department (SIM), which is “in collaboration and assistance” with the Port of Montreal and the Montreal Police Department (SPVM), says there are no injuries.
The incident, handled by the hazardous materials intervention group, occurred at the intersection of Bossuet and Notre-Dame Est streets, in the Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighbourhood. The SIM is asking people to avoid the area and Notre-Dame Street was blocked in both directions for a few hours. Since then, traffic has been “partially” permitted, particularly for buses, and some street lights on the street have been turned back on, the SPVM confirms. However, due to the air quality, it is still not recommended to travel in the area, and this will continue “until tomorrow”.
Around fifty people were evacuated “preventively” due to the spread of toxic smoke, said Martin Guilbault, division head at SIM. He noted, however, that the fumes have diminished since SIM received the call around 2:50 p.m.
The SIM also “asked people in the area to close their doors and windows and stay indoors [afin d’éviter] that they are exposed for a prolonged period to the smoke from this container.”
The event also plunged part of the neighborhood into darkness. According to Hydro-Québec, the power is expected to be restored by 7 a.m. Tuesday morning.
A strong chemical smell is noticeable a few kilometers from the intersection.
On X, the chief of staff of the mayor of Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Laurent Beaulieu, indicates that “a fire of 15,000 kilos of lithium batteries is currently underway at the Port of Montreal.” “The sector is under preventive confinement and Notre-Dame Street is blocked in both directions,” he adds.
A fire involving 15,000 kilos of lithium batteries is currently underway at the Port of Montreal, east of Dickson Street. The area is under preventive containment and Notre-Dame Street is blocked in both directions. https://t.co/8meGXNWVAK
— Laurent Beaulieu (@Laurentrb) September 23, 2024
Around 7 p.m., the SIM was focusing on “cooling the container,” Martin Guilbeault explained. However, the situation “cannot be considered under control,” he said. “It will take several more hours of work to be able to cool the batteries.”
More details will follow.