Toronto's fire chief, Jim Jessop, presented alarming statistics regarding lithium-ion battery fires during his appearance before the City Council on Wednesday. Jessop emphasized that these fires pose the greatest public safety risk to the City of Toronto. According to Jessop's 2025 annual report, there has been a significant 214 percent increase in lithium-ion battery-related fires over the past three years. This year alone, fire crews have responded to 50 such incidents.

A video shared by Jessop showcased the intensity of these situations, featuring an e-bike that erupted into flames, with its battery pack exploding and igniting nearby materials in a driveway. “This is the greatest and most evolving public safety risk in the City of Toronto,” Jessop stated, as he highlighted the increasingly hazardous scenarios firefighters are encountering.

In recent months, the fire chief noted that there have been fatalities and serious injuries linked to these incidents. A particularly troubling trend has emerged, where batteries stored in apartments have exploded while firefighters were conducting primary searches within those units. This poses a considerable risk not only to property but also to the lives of the firefighters involved in emergency responses.

Fire officials have continuously warned about the phenomenon known as thermal runaway that occurs when these batteries fail. This process leads to a rapid increase in temperature, resulting in explosions and the potential for dangerous projectiles. The unpredictability of these fires has made them a pressing concern in urban settings, particularly in residential complexes where e-bikes are frequently stored.

Jessop revealed that he has observed more than a dozen e-bikes being stored in individual apartments. He recounted two close calls over the last three weeks where firefighters were inside apartments, one of which involved an attempt to rescue someone from a balcony when the stored e-bikes exploded. The absence of regulations limiting the number of e-bikes that can be stored in residential buildings is a significant concern for him. Jessop has called upon Queen's Park to amend the fire code to mitigate this growing issue.

In the interim, Jessop indicated that fire officials are dedicating “significant resources” to public education campaigns aimed at preventing battery incidents. These initiatives emphasize the importance of avoiding overnight charging of e-bikes or scooters, using only manufacturer-approved chargers, and ensuring battery packs are kept away from exits and living spaces. Jessop also advises residents to replace any damaged or swollen batteries immediately to minimize risks.