July 3,2025
RED FM News Desk
Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) has announced a crackdown on the sale of lockable butane torches, which were banned by the City of Vancouver last summer. The ban followed investigations linking these devices to over 80 fire-related injuries and six deaths.
Despite the ban, VFRS says the number of fires caused by lockable torches has not decreased. In late June, fire officials inspected 168 retailers across Vancouver and found that 83—nearly half—were still selling the prohibited devices. Two retailers were fined, while the rest received warnings.
“The team delivered strong messaging,” said Assistant Chief Justin Mulcahy in a press release. Firefighters also gathered evidence for future visits, during which $1,000 municipal fines will be issued to non-compliant businesses.
According to VFRS, 38 fires were caused by lockable torches in 2024, with another 24 reported in the first half of 2025. These incidents have resulted in an estimated $7 million in property damage, 23 injuries, and one death.
VFRS is now calling on provincial and federal governments to implement broader restrictions on the import, sale, and distribution of lockable butane torches.
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