Lithium batteries were at the root of a fire that devastated a Black Diamond business.
Crews were dispatched to the fire at Koop’s Auto Repair, located on Government Road, around 8:20 p.m. on June 28 and fought flames until around 4 a.m. June 29.
Nobody was in the shop at the time, and owner Shane Koopman said he was called by a friend in town, who asked if he’d heard the news yet and told him the building was on fire.
“First thing I thought it was a joke, someone was joking with us,” said Koopman. “But then you start going through everything and it’s like – what’s going on?
“You start to think what could be the cause, but no one knows until four days later.”
After inspecting the premises, investigators from the fire department and insurance company agreed the fire had been started by rechargeable lithium batteries used for the hand-held drills, he said.
They told him it was a common cause of fire, especially if any damage is done to the unit. In the case of the drills, which contain 10 cells per battery, if the electrode is damaged it cannot charge properly and generates heat.
“They overcharge, or the charger doesn’t turn off, or they short out, or the charger shorts out – any of the combinations of those issues,” said Koopman. “If the battery is damaged, then the lithium reacts when it hits the air and becomes volatile.”
Investigators likened the reaction to a volcano erupting, he said.
With hot, dry conditions and combustible materials in the shop, the fire took hold at Koop’s.
The insurance company is still assessing damage, and he said it could be weeks of waiting to hear whether any tools or equipment is salvageable. In the meantime, insurance is covering wages for nine staff members temporarily, he said.
It’s the staff Koopman feels for the most, because many of them had their personal tools in the shop and don’t know what is still useable or when they will be released.
“All of our staff are struggling right now, wondering what’s going to happen – if they’re going to have tools,” he said. “It’s not just a building, it’s peoples’ livelihoods that are in turmoil, and will be for a while.”
He said it will be a long process waiting on engineers to deem the property safe enough for entry and the insurance company to determine which items will be replaced and which are still functional.
Rebuilding will come, but there is no indication as to when, he said. Several steps have to come before demolition and construction can begin.
Waiting is the hardest part, he said.
“I would have had it all cleaned out on the second day if I could,” said Koopman. “I’m used to just go-go-go and get it done in the swiftest way possible; that’s the way we live.
“And now we’ve got to just watch. It’s disheartening.”
Koop’s has been in Black Diamond for 26 years, beginning as a small gas station operation behind the Esso. About 10 months into operating the shop Koopman introduced tire service in a two-car garage.
The existing location came two years later, and was a full-service gas station operated with his father, Gene, until 2008. When his dad retired, the pumps were removed and Koop’s became a full mechanic shop.
“We’ve been part of this community since 1995,” said Koopman.
He said they intend to come back bigger and better than before, once the insurance is handled and everyone can get back to work.
Community members and customers have been incredible over the past week since the fire, he said.
The first day was difficult, because the entire computer and telephone system had been lost in the fire.
“We had a full week booked for clients’ vehicles, so there’s people pulling into the yard with their trailers to get repaired and we had to give them the sad news that we can’t work,” said Koopman.
The support has been pouring in over social media and meals being delivered to the family as they deal with the aftermath of the fire, he said.
All the staff and a number of friends and supporters were there with the Koopmans as the flames burned on June 28.
It was difficult, but he said they were grateful for everyone who offered strength and to the fire departments that kept the blaze under control, protecting neighbouring homes and businesses.
“It’s not an easy thing, watching your life’s work go up in flames,” said Koopman.
