‘Dangerous’ hybrid-electric vehicle fire in Dartmouth

Quickly fire engulfed the hybrid-electric vehicle in Dartmouth on Monday evening, as firefighters arrived to find the flames spreading to the nearby home.

Crews were called to Hillview Drive around 8:41 p.m. for a blaze that started in a driveway. When they arrived they quickly grabbed a hose to protect the home from the fire.

They were able to douse the vehicle and get the flames under control, but officials are warning of how dangerous these types of incidents are. The vehicle involved was a plug-in hybrid, which the firefighter union says presents “additional challenge for our members.”

Already vehicle fires are “inherently dangerous” because of the amount of combustible material and “intense heat” they produce, the release reads.

“When a lithium-ion battery is involved, damaged cells can enter thermal runaway, generating extreme heat and potentially continuing to burn or reignite,” officials explained.

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Last night at 8:41 PM, #hfxfirefighters responded to reports of a vehicle on fire in a driveway on Hillview Drive in Dartmouth.

Our members from Station 17 (Cole Harbour) arrived to find a vehicle heavily involved in fire, with the fire extending to an adjacent vehicle and… pic.twitter.com/2ii1DnYiPb

— Halifax Professional Fire Fighters (@hfxfirefighters) August 18, 2026

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Lithium-ion batteries are the first choice for electric vehicles, and are safe if used properly. If misused, fire crews say the blazes that they create need significant amounts of water, specialized equipment and further safety protocols to handle.

“Lithium-ion batteries are increasingly common in vehicles, e-bikes, e-scooters, power tools and everyday electronics,” firefighters said.

To reduce the risk, officials are asking people to:

• Always use the manufacturer-approved charger and charging equipment
• Never use batteries or chargers that are damaged, swollen or overheating
• Avoid charging devices near exits or combustible materials
• Stop using a battery immediately if you notice unusual heat, odour, sounds, swelling or smoke
• If a lithium-ion battery catches fire, get to a safe location and call 911

Calls for regulations around lithium-ion batteries

Battery fires are quickly becoming a concern across the country for government officials, communities and firefighters.

In Toronto, the mayor and fire chief have called on all levels of government to look into regulatory changes to reduce the likelihood of the fires. This happened after three back-to-back blazes in the municipality caused by improperly used batteries.

In the majority of fire investigations, unregulated and uncertified batteries on micro-mobility devices like e-bikes are at fault, Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop said.

“That is primarily because there is no standard in Canada which these batteries have to meet,” he said.