E-bike battery fire sends three to hospital in Scarborough
Fire officials renew warnings about lithium-ion battery dangers after early morning blaze on Lawrence Avenue.
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A lithium-ion battery inside an e-bike sparked a two-alarm fire in Scarborough early Sunday morning, sending three people to hospital and renewing urgent warnings from fire officials about these rapidly spreading blazes.
Fire crews responded to the blaze at Lawrence Avenue East and Morningside Avenue at 7:30 a.m., where they encountered heavy smoke on the second floor. Five people were inside the unit but left before paramedics arrived; three people from neighbouring units were treated for non-life-threatening injuries and transported to hospital.
Fire Chief Jim Jessop identified the e-bike battery as the cause. "E-bike battery fires spread rapidly, produce toxic smoke, and pose serious risks to residents and firefighters," he said in a statement. The warning underscores a growing concern in the city as more residents adopt e-bikes for commuting and delivery work. Battery fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish and create hazardous fumes that threaten entire buildings.
