E-Bike Battery Suspected in Toronto Apartment Fire, Two Injured

A fire in a northwest Toronto apartment on the morning of March 14, 2024, has led to two individuals being hospitalized, with authorities investigating the potential involvement of an electric bike battery. The incident occurred around 05:30 a.m. at a residential building located on Eglinton Avenue W. near Keele Street in the Keelsdale neighbourhood.

According to the Toronto Police Service, two women suffered minor injuries and were subsequently transported to a local hospital. Emergency services responded swiftly, and fire crews managed to extinguish the flames that had engulfed a second-floor unit within the three-story building.

Residents displaced by the fire were temporarily sheltered in a Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) bus while emergency services assessed the situation. Eglinton Avenue W. was closed in both directions during the response, but the road was reopened around 08:00 a.m.

Eyewitness accounts suggest that an electric bike battery may have exploded, igniting the fire. A burned e-bike was removed from the apartment by investigators, who are continuing to examine the cause of the blaze.

While the investigation progresses, fire safety experts emphasize the importance of proper maintenance and storage of e-bike batteries to prevent similar incidents. As the popularity of electric bikes continues to rise, the potential hazards associated with their batteries have come under increased scrutiny.

The Toronto Fire Services have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the fire, and further updates will be provided as the situation develops.