Two children were killed in a fire in New York City on Monday after an e-bike powered by a lithium-ion battery. This is the latest in a spate of e-bike-related fires in the city.
FDNY Chief John Hodgens said it took him just three minutes for firefighters to reach the home in Astoria, Queens.
The e-bike fire spread quickly, and the victims “didn’t get a chance to get out of the building” given the fact that the bikes were charging near the apartment’s front door. A fierce fire that quickly moved.
But the way these fires start is like a fire explosion,” he told reporters outside the burnt home.
Monday’s blaze has resulted in five fire-related deaths in New York City so far this year, with officials saying an electric bicycle was to blame. So far this year, there have been 59 fires related to e-bikes.
Last year, there were six deaths associated with e-bikes with him.
A father and his five children were in an apartment on the second floor just before 2 p.m., fire officials said. The father and his three children managed to escape safely through a window.
Hodgens said an extension cord apparently led from the upstairs apartment to what the firefighters believed was an aftermarket charger for a bicycle parked at the front door of the building. In this case, another fire involving a bike that was not charging occurred while the bike was being charged, Hodgens said.
E-bikes have become popular as a petrol-free means of making deliveries, commuting and fast travel in cities that have championed cycling in recent decades.
New York City Fire Commissioner Laura Cabana urged residents to follow all safety guidelines and manufacturer recommendations for electric bicycles.
We also call on our federal, state and local partners to swiftly enact regulations that will help prevent tragedies like today’s fires, she said in a statement.
