There has been a dramatic increase in lithium-ion battery fires across É«É«À² in recent years, largely driven by the popularization of devices such as e-scooters and electric bicycles, firefighters say.
While mishandling and improper charging of these devices made up most of the recent wave of battery fires, experts note that lithium-ion batteries are nearly ubiquitous in everyday objects, from phones to electric toothbrushes and children’s toys.
Improper use, charging, disposal of or tampering with these batteries can significantly increase the risks of fire or explosion.
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Last year, É«É«À² Fire Services said they responded to 76 fires sparked by lithium ion batteries — an increase of 38 per cent from 2023’s 55 fires, and a 162 per cent spike from 2022, when just 29 incidents were reported, .
“Many of the recent fires were caused by attempts to modify or extend the life of the batteries,” the release read.
So far this year, TFS has responded to 43 lithium-ion battery-related fires.
E-scooters — and the odd cellphone
“We have had fires where it’s related to a toy or a cellphone, but the bulk of them are coming from micromobility devices, said Marla Friebe, acting deputy fire chief of community risk reduction at TFS. “That’s where our fire problem is.”
Friebe recalled multiple cases of teenagers who kept their phones under their pillows while they slept, still plugged in — only for the devices to burst into flame overnight, catching the child’s pillow and bedding on fire.
“It happens occasionally, a few times a year here in the city,” Friebe told the Star. ”(The phone) simply can’t shed the amount of heat that is building up inside of it as it’s being cushioned by bedding and the mattress.”
Regarding e-scooters and other micromobility devices, Friebe said the majority of fires happen when they’re charging — especially when paired with a noncompatible charger. This can cause the battery to charge past capacity, leading it to potentially break down, catch flame or explode.
Highrise blaze under investigation
This year’s battery fires included a “significant highrise fire” that led occupants and first responders to suffer multiple injuries, TFS’s news release said. Investigators discovered a “large quantity” of lithium-ion batteries within the unit that were determined to have “significantly contributed to the fire’s growth and extent of smoke spread throughout the building.”
Friebe said she couldn’t share more information about that incident as it was still under investigation.
To drum up public awareness, the TFS launched its second annual “This is Your Warning” public safety campaign Monday, to run until the end of the year, Friebe said. The ads, which are appearing on social media, TTC billboards, newspapers and more, will encourage É«É«À²nians to keep vigilant about fire safety, she continued.
Lithium-ion battery safety tips
The City of É«É«À² recommends the following safety guidelines:
- Keep lithium-ion batteries in sight when charging.
- Never tamper with or modify a battery.
- Only use certified, manufacturer-approved batteries and chargers. Certified batteries are labelled with a .
- Stop using the battery and contact the manufacturer if you spot any of the following signs:Â strange odours, discoloration, excessive heat, change in shape, leaking or odd noises.
Friebe urges residents not to leave their devices charging overnight. This can cause lithium-ion batteries to charge beyond their capacity and explode, she said, although higher-quality batteries usually include sensors that stop the charging process once full.
“We want people to be aware: don’t leave your batteries charging unnecessarily. Also, if you’re charging, make sure you’re doing it on a noncombustible surface,” she said.
Old or damaged batteries can be disposed at a  or during a event.
“We’re seeing a concerning rise in fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, many of which are preventable,” said Jim Jessop, chief and general manager of TFS, in the release.
“Fire prevention is a shared responsibility, together we can protect our homes, neighbours and our City,” he said. “É«É«À² Fire Services will continue to advocate for the necessary regulatory changes to reduce this public fire safety risk in our city.”
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