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Tag: fire

  • Fire at AOI Facility Extinguished by Sprinklers

    Fire at AOI Facility Extinguished by Sprinklers

    A fire occurred early this morning (April 17) at an Alliance One tobacco processing facility in Wilson, North Carolina. No employees were present at the time of the fire, and minimal damage occurred. The fire, which originated in a customer area, was extinguished by the building’s sprinkler system before firefighters arrived, limiting damage to a small room in the facility. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

    The Wilson Times originally said the fire caused an estimated $100,000 in damage, however, representatives from AOI said thanks to the sprinkler system, the damage was significantly less than reported.

  • Glasgow Vape Shop Fire Draws Attention, Response from UKVIA

    Glasgow Vape Shop Fire Draws Attention, Response from UKVIA

    The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) reached out to fire authorities across the UK following a major fire in Glasgow that originated in a retail outlet selling vapes. UKVIA emphasized that vape retailers are being advised on immediate steps to ensure proper fire safety measures and are encouraged to review risk assessments and liaise with local fire services for guidance. Director General John Dunne described the incident as isolated but underscored the importance of proactive safety compliance, noting that responsible retailers play a crucial role in keeping vaping products accessible for adults seeking to quit smoking.

    UKVIA welcomed the opportunity to work with fire services to learn from the incident and reiterated its long-standing advocacy for a robust licensing scheme to ensure the highest safety and compliance standards, now under consideration as part of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The association also highlighted that illicit vapes pose heightened fire risks due to high-energy batteries, which burn hotter and faster than conventional fires, potentially explaining the intensity of the Glasgow blaze.

    The fire drew attention to regulatory gaps, as the store involved was not listed on the Scottish Government’s Register of Tobacco and Nicotine Vapour Product Retailers and had not paid business rates. A manual count of the government’s Register of Tobacco and Nicotine Vapour Product Retailers found that 80% of 1,252 registered shops are “registered and compliant,” but listed as lacking current information.

  • W. Australia Focused on ‘Scourge’ Behind Illicit Tobacco

    W. Australia Focused on ‘Scourge’ Behind Illicit Tobacco

    The Government of Western Australia announced sweeping reforms to the Tobacco Products Control Act 2006 aimed at crushing the illicit tobacco and vape trade, following the largest seizure of illegal products in state history. Under the proposed changes, individuals caught possessing large commercial quantities of illicit tobacco or vaping products could face fines of up to A$4.2 million ($3 million) and 15 years’ imprisonment, while companies could be fined up to A$21 million ($14.9 million) — the toughest penalties in Australia. The laws, to be introduced to Parliament on Feb. 17, would also allow store closures of up to 90 days during investigations. Premier Roger Cook described the illegal trade as a “scourge on our society,” blaming organized crime for fueling violence including firebombings and shootings targeting smoke shops across Perth.

    Police Minister Reece Whitby said authorities have seized 1.26 million illicit cigarettes, 467 kg of tobacco, nearly 17,000 illegal vapes and A$770,000 ($547,000) in cash in the last year, with a further A$1.7 million ($1.2 million) in parcels intercepted across WA and Victoria. Health Minister Meredith Hammat said WA Health would work alongside police to swiftly shut down non-compliant retailers, with a second tranche of legislation later this year expected to address further measures, including potential eviction powers for landlords linked to illicit trade activity.

  • Cigarette Butts, Winter Months Increase Korean Fire Risk

    Cigarette Butts, Winter Months Increase Korean Fire Risk

    South Korea’s National Fire Agency reported that fires started by discarded cigarette butts caused 154 billion won ($104.7 million) in property damage over the past five years, highlighting the growing risks as winter fire season begins. From 2020 to 2024, the country recorded 191,510 fires, 743 of which were linked to discarded cigarettes. Nearly 40% of fires with casualties occurred from December to March due to heavy use of heating equipment and dry conditions.

    Authorities also said that cigarette-related fires, along with electrical faults, were among the leading causes of large-scale factory and warehouse fires, involving losses of over 10 billion won ($6.8 million).

  • Vape Batteries Causing Rise in Waste Fires

    Vape Batteries Causing Rise in Waste Fires

    Last year was “a year of growth” for Fire Rover, but as a company that specializes in fire detection and suppression, that’s not entirely good news. The company, which releases annual reports on waste and recycling facility fires in the U.S. and Canada, said it saw a 60% increase in fire identifications in 2024. Confirmed fires have increased from 1,409 in 2022, to 1,809 in 2023, to 2,910 last year. Publicly reported fire incidents at waste and recycling facilities also hit 398, a new high since Fire Rover began compiling its report eight years ago.

    Fires at waste facilities are nothing new and can be sparked from numerous causes. However, Ryan Fogelman, CEO of Fire Rover, says lithium-ion batteries pose a growing problem, specifically those from e-cigarettes, vapes, and other battery-powered nicotine devices. He said, based on his experience and some assumptions, that about half of the fires he’s tracking originate with batteries. Roughly $2.5 billion of loss to facilities and infrastructure came from fires last year, divided between traditional hazards and batteries.

    “Not only are their batteries being improperly discarded in waste and recycling bins, but the vape industry has done the bare minimum to invest in the technology needed to address the 1.2 billion vapes entering our waste and recycling streams annually,” Fogelman said.

    “Vapes are perhaps the most effective single thing the e-waste and recycling industries could target,” Kevin Purdy, wrote for ARS Technica. “If everybody knew how to dispose of vapes properly, at sites that can safely handle them, there could be a reduction in risk.

    “But that safe, evenly distributed vape disposal network does not exist.”

  • Fire Ravages AJ Fernandez’s Main Factory in Nicaragua

    Fire Ravages AJ Fernandez’s Main Factory in Nicaragua

    A fire has ravaged Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A. in Estelí, Nicaragua, the main factory for the AJ Fernandez operation. According to local news reports, everyone including the company’s school, was evacuated safely with no serious injuries reported.

    According to Halfwheel, the factory is one of the largest in the world, producing cigars for a long list of companies, including some of the world’s largest, like Altadis U.S.A. and General Cigar Co., and smaller brands like Foundation Cigar Co. and Artesano del Tobacco. AJ Fernandez operates another factory, the San Lotano Factory, in Ocotal, about 40 miles north of Estelí.

    Videos showed firefighters battling a large blaze in one of the buildings. Multiple sources said the fire appears to be in the packaging department, and it’s unclear how much of the rest of the building has been damaged.

    “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who has reached out, prayed for us, and stood by our side during this incredibly difficult time,” the company said in a statement. “Your love and support mean more than words can express. We are beyond grateful for the strength of our community, our team, and all those who have shown up for us. Above all, we are thankful that everyone is safe. In moments like these, we’re reminded of the power of unity and we feel it now more than ever. We will move forward, united, resilient, and more committed than ever to what we stand for.”