{
  "id": 18417148,
  "title": "Ford government to change laws in response to lithium ion battery fires",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/ford-government-to-change-laws-in-response-to-lithium-ion-battery",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-06T01:38:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CityNews",
    "slug": "citynews",
    "url": "https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/11/05/ford-government-to-change-laws-in-response-to-lithium-ion-battery-fires/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Ontario government plans to revise two laws in response to a surge in fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, which power e-scooters and e-bikes in the city of Toronto. Chief Jim Jessop of Toronto Fire Services has declared these battery-related fires to be the \"greatest public safety risk\" facing the city. In 2025, he reported a 214% increase in such incidents over the past three years, with more than 100 fires reported in Toronto alone. Toronto's fire chief has cited inadequate regulation and improper storage as contributing factors to these alarming statistics. During a search inside an apartment, firefighters have faced dangerous situations as these batteries, known to enter a state of thermal runaway, can suddenly explode, causing rapid overheating, unpredictable projectiles, and fatalities. The Ford government announced on Thursday that they will amend the fire code to prevent battery modifications that could alter the intended speed of bikes and scooters, and essentially ban owners from storing e-bikes and e-scooters in apartment hallways. Solicitor General Michael Kerzner emphasized the importance of using certified batteries for their intended purpose to ensure safety. The Ontario fire marshal's office predicts that the number of lithium-ion battery-related fires will continue to rise across the province, as they become more prevalent in powering household devices such as electric bikes, laptops, phones, and portable chargers. These new laws are set to come into effect in 2027.",
  "summary": "Toronto fire officials have been sounding the alarm over the hazards of lithium-ion batteries and now the Ford government is making changes to two laws aimed at cracking down on those whose actions help spark those fires",
  "key_points": [
    "Ontario government plans to revise two laws due to lithium-ion battery fires.",
    "Chief Jim Jessop declares battery-related fires as greatest public safety risk in Toronto.",
    "Ford government to amend fire code to prevent battery modifications and ban storage in hallways."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Tightening fire codes and restricting storage methods signals a shift toward prioritizing public safety over consumer convenience as the provincial government moves to mitigate the growing risks of battery-related explosions.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}