New York City Experiences Surge in Lithium-Ion Battery Fires, Prompting Calls for Enhanced Safety Measures
New York City has seen a significant increase in lithium-ion battery fires, with 401 incidents reported by late October 2026, compared to 292 in all of 2025. These fires have resulted in 74 injuries and six fatalities in 2026. Two recent incidents highlight the danger: a Bronx apartment fire on October 28, caused by an e-bike battery, killed four family members, and a Brooklyn house fire on November 5, where a lithium-ion battery was found, killed six people and injured seven, including three firefighters. Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore noted that this surge reverses a previous decline in battery fire deaths. The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is advocating for stronger safety standards, including a national lithium-ion battery safety framework in Canada and supporting legislation in the U.S. to mandate safety rules for micromobility device batteries.
