NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — New York City experienced an increase in fire-related deaths with 73 fatalities last year, up from 63 in 2020, according to FDNY data cited by the New York Post.
Queens makes up for most of the 16% hike with 23 fire deaths followed by Manhattan with 19, the Bronx with 16, Brooklyn with 14 and Staten Island with 1.
According to the data, four of the fire deaths were attributed to lithium ion batteries stored in ebikes/scooters, something the FDNY told the New York Post they’ve never seen in the department’s history before. One of the victims was a 9-year-old Queens boy who perished in a fire caused by an ebike battery in September.
When lithium ion batteries are damaged or overcharged, they release hydrogen gas and can explode, according to fire officials.
The Post also reports that despite the uptick in fatalities, the 73 deaths follow the city’s 16-year trend of less than 100 fire deaths per year.
Though still high, the death toll is far lower than NYC’s highest reported fire deaths in 1970 where 310 fatalities from blazes occured.
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