E-bikes catch fire in underground parking garage in Toronto, 1 woman injured

One woman was treated for serious injuries after as many as 20 e-bikes caught fire in an underground parking garage overnight.

Toronto fire crews were called to 564 Eglinton Ave. W. in Forest Hill at around 12:30 a.m. on Monday for reports of a three-alarm fire in an apartment building’s parking garage.

Officials told CityNews that there was heavy smoke when crews arrived, and several e-bikes had caught fire.

Division Commander Steve Darling said a female tenant sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries from the smoke that migrated into the building after she re-entered to check on her family and pets. Others were displaced as first responders tended to the fire.

The fire was contained and was put out.

Residents told 680News Radio that someone had been storing the collection of e-bikes in the underground parking garage, though the reason is unclear.

“We heard the [fire] alarm, and then we smelled the smoke,” one woman said.

Darling said the cause of the fire is still undetermined, and the investigation is ongoing. He noted that when charging e-bikes, it’s essential to separate the battery from the charger and unplug it so it doesn’t overheat.