lithium-ion battery blazes on rise in city: toronto fire chief
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toronto fire chief jim jessop says lithium-ion battery fires are up 36% from the same time last year, with 76 of them recorded in the city as of wednesday.
the chief’s remarks were shared via his account on social media platform x, alongside video footage showing the fire damage from the second suspected lithium-ion battery fire in as many days in toronto.
“and again,” jessop wrote on x. “we started today with another lithium ion battery fire in the early morning hours at 2180 islington ave. lib fires are up 36% from this time last year.”
jessop’s x post on wednesday ended with the warning: “an uncertified lithium-ion battery could harm your neighbours. only use manufacturer-recommended batteries in your e-bike.”
no injuries in two-alarm blaze at apartment building
on wednesday, toronto fire crews were called at about 5:35 a.m to deal with a two-alarm fire in the early morning hours at a residential highrise at islington ave. and rexdale blvd.
toronto fire wrote on x: “another incident involving lithium-ion batteries. thankfully no injuries.”
“we have seen a large number of these lithium-ion batteries,” toronto fire platoon chief peter rappos told reporters on the fire scene wednesday morning.
“toronto fire has trained for this. all of our staff is very aware of the toxic gases produced by these and wear their breathing apparatus 100% anytime they’re around these incidents and anytime they encounter any sort of smoke. it is what toronto fire does. we are there to mitigate incidents that arise and if it’s caused by a litihum-ion battery or an unattended pot on stove, we attend and do what we need to do to mitigate the situation.”
on tuesday, fire crews responded to an apartment fire in st. james town in which four people including two children were injured.
fire ravaged an apartment in a st. james town building in toronto on tuesday morning. @chiefjessopfs/x
@chiefjessopfs/x
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the cause of that fire is under investigation, but fire officials said e-bikes were on the balcony and lithium-ion batteries were inside.
“yet another lithium ion battery related fire in our city today,” jessop wrote on x on tuesday along with video from that fire-damaged scene.
“they continue to increase, and the consequences can be devastating. or worse. only choose certified batteries, chargers, e-bikes and/or scooters and never charge near an exit or where you sleep. #toronto”
inside the st. james town apartment that was the scene of a fire on tuesday in toronto. @chiefjessopfs/x
@chiefjessopfs/x
his x post on tuesday ended with the warning: “a modified lithium-ion battery could end your life. never tamper with your e-bike battery.”
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