NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – Two people were injured in a fire caused by lithium-ion batteries inside of a Brooklyn home, believed to be an illegal repair shop, on Wednesday, the FDNY said.
The fire broke out before 8:30 a.m. at 57th Street on the third floor of a three-story building, where an illegal e-bike/e-scooter repair shop was found to be operating, officials said.
The fire left two people injured who were taken to the burn center at Staten Island University Hospital.
One victim suffered serious injuries, while the other was critically injured.
This incident comes amid the growing concern over fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in New York City.
Mayor Eric Adams recently announced a lithium-ion battery-charging pilot program, set to launch early next year. The program is designed to provide delivery workers with safe public charging options for their bikes, in response to the escalating number of battery-related fires.
Lithium-ion battery fires have soared to 253 incidents in 2023, a significant increase from just 30 in 2019. From 2019 to 2022, these fires have caused an average of three deaths and 66 injuries annually.
In 2023 alone, fires resulting from battery malfunctions have led to 18 deaths and 133 injuries.
This Brooklyn fire marks the second incident in December caused by lithium-ion batteries as it follows a recent accident in the Bronx on Sunday, where a fire sparked by an e-bike battery killed one and injured at least nine people.