According to an annual report published by the Service de sécurité incendie de Montréal (SIM), there has been a 195% increase in fires caused by lithium-ion batteries over the last two years. There were 24 lithium fires in 2022, 43 in 2023, and 71 in 2024. The increase is due to the popularity of scooters and electric bikes powered by this type of battery. The report says the SIM is working to raise awareness about the issue and modify municipal regulations to improve the use, storage, and disposal of lithium-ion batteries. However, Robert Rousseau, a divisional chief with the fire service, said lithium-ion batteries are also found in smartphones, laptops, and other electronic devices. Therefore, the Montreal fire service has developed methods and tools to manage fires provoked by these devices. The city is not the only one in Canada dealing with lithium-ion battery fires. Vancouver, for example, has issued warnings after five people died in 2022 in a fire provoked by batteries.
When they go on fire, batteries release hazardous chemicals, posing an additional threat to public safety. They can cause burns, eye irritation, and respiratory issues. McGill University epidemiology professor Jill Baumgartner said that acute exposure to them can also increase the risk of stroke and heart attack, depending on the length of exposure, pollutant concentrations, and individual vulnerability. Last September, a large fire in the Port of Montreal caused by lithium batteries inside a shipping container released a chemical cloud into neighbouring areas, leading many residents to flee. Firefighters needed hours to control the blaze, aided by a special unit from airport colleagues.
