Two separate fires linked to electric bikes reported hours apart in Toronto

TORONTO - Two fires possibly linked to electric bikes broke out in separate locations within hours of each other in Toronto on Sunday.

Toronto police say a large fire was reported just before noon in an alleyway in the north end of the city, sparked by an e-bike battery.

They say the blaze was extinguished and two people were transported to hospital for minor smoke inhalation.

A spokesperson for Toronto Fire Services says a second fire erupted about two hours later in the east end of the city.

The spokesperson says firefighters extinguished a fire on the ground floor of a building and are investigating if an e-bike was involved.

Toronto fire says there have been 93 fires involving lithium-ion batteries in 2026 so far.

Lithium-ion batteries, which power e-bikes, portable chargers and other devices, can catch fire if damaged or charged improperly.

To prevent a lithium-ion fire, Toronto Fire says people should only use devices that have been safety-tested and certified, follow manufacturer instructions for charging and storage and store batteries away from flammable materials.