Ottawa is on pace for a troubling year when it comes to fires sparked by lithium-ion batteries, with at least 10 incidents already recorded in 2025, according to a CTV News report.
A Growing Fire Risk Across Ottawa
Lithium-ion batteries power nearly everything in modern life — e-bikes, electric scooters, laptops, power tools, and phones. But their convenience comes with a risk that Ottawa fire officials are increasingly concerned about. With 10 battery-linked fires already logged this year, the city is seeing a trend that mirrors warnings from fire departments across North America.
These fires are particularly dangerous because lithium-ion batteries can enter a state called thermal runaway — a chain reaction in which the battery rapidly overheats, releasing toxic gases and catching fire. Fires can ignite suddenly and spread faster than a typical house fire, leaving very little time to escape.
Why the Numbers Are Rising
The surge in battery fires comes hand-in-hand with the explosion in popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters, which have become a common sight on Ottawa streets and paths along the Rideau Canal and in neighbourhoods like the Glebe, Westboro, and Hintonburg. These vehicles carry large battery packs that, when charged with incompatible chargers or stored improperly, carry a significantly elevated fire risk.
Cheaper off-brand batteries and chargers — often purchased online — are a common culprit in lithium-ion fires. Batteries that have been physically damaged, are past their lifespan, or are stored in hot environments are also at higher risk of failure.
How to Protect Your Home
Ottawa fire officials and safety experts recommend the following steps to reduce your risk:
- Charge devices while you're awake and home. Never leave lithium-ion batteries charging overnight or when you leave the house.
- Use the manufacturer's charger. Third-party chargers, especially cheap ones, can overload a battery and trigger thermal runaway.
- Don't charge in hallways or near exits. If a fire starts, a burning e-bike in a hallway can block your escape route.
- Replace damaged batteries immediately. A swollen, cracked, or leaking battery should be considered a fire hazard.
- Store batteries at room temperature. Extreme heat or cold degrades battery chemistry and increases risk.
If you notice a battery getting unusually hot, emitting a strange smell, or swelling, move it away from flammable materials and call 911 if needed.
Ottawa Fire Services Wants Residents to Take This Seriously
Fire departments across Canada have been escalating public awareness campaigns around lithium-ion batteries over the past two years, and Ottawa is no exception. With 10 fires already in 2025, city fire crews are urging residents to treat battery charging with the same caution they'd apply to leaving a candle unattended.
If your building has a bike storage room where e-bikes are regularly charged, it's worth raising the issue with your property manager about proper ventilation and fire safety protocols.
Stay safe, Ottawa — these fires are preventable with a few simple habits.
Source: CTV News Ottawa. Read the original report here.
