Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop is once again raising alarms about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes following a fire at a maintenance and repair shop on Spadina Avenue.
Latest Incident on Spadina Avenue
The fire occurred on Wednesday around 2:40 p.m. at an e-bike shop near Spadina Avenue and College Street. Fire crews responded to the scene to find multiple e-bikes and lithium-ion batteries involved in the blaze.
“Today crews responded to an incident at an e-bike maintenance and repair shop near Spadina Ave & College St,” Jessop wrote on his X account. “The incident involved multiple e-bikes and lithium-ion batteries. These fires escalate quickly & produce hazardous conditions for occupants & first responders.”
Jessop also shared images showing several batteries pulled onto the asphalt for inspection, while inside the store, firefighters poured water onto debris.
Growing Frequency of Battery Fires
This incident follows a similar fire at the end of May, when a shed full of e-bikes caught fire. Chief Jessop highlighted that event on social media, posting a photo of the destruction.
“Another lithium-ion battery fire in the city this afternoon, this incident involving e-bikes in a shed,” Jessop wrote on May 27. “Lithium-ion battery safety matters. The increasing frequency and severity of these fires continues to be a serious public safety concern across our city.”
The shed fire came after two separate blazes in the same week at a recycling yard in North York. On May 25, Jessop commented on those incidents, stating, “Two fires in recent days at the Ashwarren Rd recycling facility were confirmed as caused by lithium-ion batteries in thermal runaway. The frequency and intensity of LIB fires continue to increase across our city, along with the risk to the public and firefighters.”
Public Safety Concerns
Chief Jessop has been vocal about the risks posed by lithium-ion batteries, emphasizing that these fires can escalate rapidly and create hazardous conditions for both occupants and first responders. The repeated incidents underscore the need for increased awareness and safety measures regarding e-bike batteries.
As the use of e-bikes grows in Toronto, the fire chief urges the public to follow safety guidelines, including proper charging practices and battery disposal, to prevent future fires.
