A suspected e-bike battery explosion triggered a major house fire in Scarborough that was captured on video.
Toronto Fire Services responded Sunday morning to a home on Mayhill Crescent, south of Lawrence Avenue East, where firefighters found the residence fully engulfed in flames. Fire Chief Jim Jessop said investigators believe the blaze began when a lithium-ion battery entered thermal runaway, a dangerous chain reaction caused by rapidly rising temperatures that can lead to intense fires and explosions.
Security video from the property appears to show an e-bike parked in a driveway suddenly catching fire before multiple explosions erupt. Thick black smoke quickly filled the air as debris from the exploding battery scattered across the surrounding area.
No injuries were reported, but the fire caused extensive damage to the home and forced several residents to leave the property. Jessop said the incident highlights the growing number of fires linked to defective or improperly handled lithium-ion batteries in recent years.