Topline
At least four people were killed and two others were critically injured after a fire broke out in a New York City e-bike store on Tuesday morning, according to officials, adding to concern over the lithium-ion batteries—the leading cause of fire deaths in the city—used by the devices.
At least four people were killed in a New York City fire on Tuesday.
Key Facts
A fire started in the HQ E-Bike Repair shop, on the ground floor of a six-floor residential building in Manhattan shortly after midnight, according to the New York Fire Department, though the cause of the fire was not immediately clear.
The New York Fire Department later determined the fire was caused by a malfunctioning lithium-ion battery on the first floor.
The Red Cross said it was providing emergency housing for eight households affected by the fire, which includes 23 adults and two children.
Big Number
220. That’s how many fires were caused by lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes or e-scooters in the city last year, according to city officials, an increase of 116 over the previous year.
Surprising Fact
Lithium-ion batteries are the leading cause of fire deaths in New York City, according to the New York Times. Nine people have died and 64 others were injured in 92 fires this year prior to Tuesday’s fire. A 19-year-old girl and her 7-year-old brother were killed in an “explosion of fire” caused by an e-bike in April, according to the New York Times. In May, a 94-year-old woman and her son died after suffering juries from a fire caused by an e-bike battery, according to New York Daily News.
Key Background
New York City officials have recently voiced concern over fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, which power commonly used e-bikes and e-scooters, including those used by the more than 65,000 delivery workers in the city. Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), who represents the Bronx, called for city residents to be cautious when charging e-bikes or e-scooters in March, noting many are powered by “unsafe, unregulated” lithium-ion batteries. The batteries have a tendency to overheat and spontaneously combust, according to the University of Washington’s Clean Energy Institute. In March, Mayor Eric Adams called for a fire marshal task force to identify any high-risk situations and fire code violations. The city has also banned the sale or lease of e-bikes or e-scooters that fail to meet safety standards, while prohibiting used lithium batteries from being refurbished.
Further Reading
4 Die In Fire That Began At E-Bike Shop Near Chinatown (New York Times)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2023/06/20/4-killed-in-latest-nyc-e-bike-fire-as-officials-warn-about-dangerous-batteries/