Fire chief ‘grateful’ no one hurt after lithium-ion battery fire erupts in downtown Toronto

Fire crews battle a lithium-ion battery fire at 280 Wellesley St. E. in Toronto on April 27. (@ChiefJessopTFS/X)

Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop says he’s “grateful” no one was hurt after after a lithium-ion battery fire erupted on Monday in downtown Toronto.

The fire broke out around 2:30 p.m. at a high-rise apartment building in the St. Jamestown neighbourhood, at 280 Wellesley St. E., just east of Sherbourne Street.

Toronto Fire Service said it “caused significant damage to the balcony of the building.”

The fire affected the interior of one unit and several units on the exterior, said Toronto police.

“This incident highlights both the risks these batteries pose and the hazards firefighters face when responding,” Jessop said in a post on X, where he also also thanked crews for their “quick response.”

An investigation into the origin and cause of this blaze is now underway, said the fire service.