Ottawa Councillors Sound the Alarm on Battery Fires
Ottawa city councillors are calling on the province to tighten Ontario's fire code after a persistent string of fires linked to lithium-ion batteries — the same batteries that power e-bikes, electric scooters, and a wide range of personal electronics.
The push focuses on how these devices are stored and charged indoors, particularly in multi-unit residential buildings where a single battery fire can spread quickly and put dozens of residents at risk.
Why Lithium-Ion Batteries Are So Dangerous
Lithium-ion batteries can overheat, short-circuit, or enter what's known as "thermal runaway" — a chain reaction that causes rapid, intense burning that's extremely difficult to extinguish. Unlike a typical kitchen fire, a lithium-ion blaze can reignite even after appearing to be out, and it releases toxic gases in the process.
E-bikes have become an increasingly common culprit. Many residents charge them overnight in hallways, stairwells, or living spaces — often using aftermarket chargers that don't meet safety standards. When something goes wrong, the results can be devastating and fast-moving.
What Councillors Are Asking For
Ottawa councillors are urging the province to amend the Ontario Fire Code to include stricter regulations around where lithium-ion devices can be charged, requirements around approved chargers, and potentially designated charging areas in apartment buildings and condos.
The current provincial fire code doesn't specifically address lithium-ion battery storage in residential settings in the same way it governs other fire hazards, leaving a regulatory gap that local officials say needs to close.
Ottawa Fire Services has responded to a growing number of these incidents in recent years, and fire prevention officials have repeatedly flagged battery fires as an emerging and serious concern.
What Residents Can Do Now
While the province considers any changes to the fire code, Ottawa fire officials have practical advice for residents:
- Never charge e-bikes or scooters overnight or when you're asleep or away from home
- Use only the manufacturer-approved charger — avoid cheap third-party replacements
- Don't charge in blocked exits like hallways or stairwells
- Store batteries away from flammable materials and in cool, dry spaces
- If a battery starts smoking or swelling, evacuate immediately and call 911 — do not try to move it
A City-Wide Issue Reflecting a National Trend
Ottawa isn't alone in grappling with this issue. Cities across Canada and around the world have seen a spike in lithium-ion battery fires as e-bike and e-scooter ownership surges. New York City has enacted some of the strictest regulations in North America after a deadly series of fires in recent years, and Canadian municipalities are watching closely.
For Ottawa, where winters push residents toward indoor charging for months at a time, the risk is particularly acute. Advocates say that clearer rules — and enforcement — can't come soon enough.
With the province's next review of the fire code on the horizon, Ottawa's councillors are making sure battery safety is part of the conversation.
Source: CBC Ottawa
