Toronto Fire Chief Demands Urgent Regulatory Action Amid Battery Fire Surge
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
With lithium-ion battery fires increasing tenfold since 2021, officials warn that outdated fire codes are failing to keep pace with hazardous consumer technology.
Toronto is facing an "exponential growth" in lithium-ion battery fires, prompting Fire Chief Jim Jessop to call for urgent legislative updates from provincial and federal governments. According to reporting from CBC Toronto, the city experienced three battery-related fires within a 24-hour window, including a Wednesday incident at 291 George St. that injured four people.
Data provided by Toronto Fire Services (TFS) reveals a sharp escalation in danger: annual battery fires rose from nine incidents in 2021 to 91 in 2025. So far this year, TFS has recorded 80 battery-related fires resulting in 14 injuries and one death. Chief Jessop noted that one person has died in this type of fire every year since 2023.
Chief Jessop argues that the Ontario fire code has not evolved alongside the technology, leaving fire inspectors with limited tools to ensure safety. While Jessop does not support an outright ban, he is seeking guardrails to regulate battery storage and limits on micro-mobility devices—such as e-bikes and e-scooters—within residential units. In the unit where the Wednesday fire occurred, officials found six micro-mobility devices.
Government responses have remained in the consultation phase. CBC Toronto reports that Health Canada spokesperson Mark Johnson stated the agency is looking into proposing regulations, while Jim Demetriou, a spokesperson for the Ontario fire marshal, said the office is considering fire code changes. Chief Jessop warned that the bureaucratic process cannot continue for years of consultation while rooms become deadly in seconds and emit harmful toxins.
Beyond public safety, the surge is straining city resources. Daryl Chong, CEO of the Greater Toronto Apartment Association, noted the difficulty landlords face in enforcing battery rules and echoed the call for federal regulation. Meanwhile, TFS has had to implement new decontamination technology for firefighters' suits to reduce cancer risks associated with these chemical fires.