Fire investigators in New York said e-bike batteries caused a deadly fire in the East Village area of New York City, leaving two teens clinging to a pole in an attempt to escape the flames. According to a CBS New York news report, a man was killed in the fire and the teens’ mother was said to be in critical condition. A 13-year-old boy and an 18-year-old girl used a pole outside the building to get to safety after the fire broke out in their fourth-floor apartment the morning of Dec. 16.
Fatal E-Bike Explosion and Fire
The following day fire officials announced that lithium-ion batteries sparked the blaze from an e-bike. They stated that damaged or overcharged lithium-ion batteries release hydrogen gas and violently explode. There were seven e-bikes in the apartment.
According to the FDNY, 93 fires in New York City have been caused by lithium batteries in 2021, 49 more than in the previous year. Fire officials are calling this “a dangerous, new trend.”
They say the intensity of this particular fire was so great that it blew the windows out and even blew a wall down inside the apartment on top of the bed in which the teens were sleeping. The FDNY reminds residents not to charge e-bikes overnight or near an exit door or bedroom. However, the charging should be done in a well-ventilated area, if possible, outside.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family that has suffered this tremendous loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Product Liability Issues
Cell phones, laptops, and e-cigarettes, among other products powered by lithium-ion batteries, have raised concerns. Airlines have even banned some of these products due to their potential for explosion or fire.
These products have also caused significant injuries such as burns, broken bones, facial injuries, and internal trauma. In some cases, they have resulted in deaths or fatal fires that have claimed lives and disfigured people.
Product manufacturers have a responsibility to make items that are safe for consumers. When they fail to do so, they can be held responsible for the injuries caused by these dangerous and defective products. Injured victims can seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, cost of rehabilitation, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
An experienced e-bike accident lawyer can advise injured victims and their families about their legal rights and options.
Source: https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2021/12/17/e-bike-batteries-caused-deadly-east-village-apartment-fire-fdny-commissioner-says/
