Three generations of grandparents died in a fire in Brooklyn, another disaster caused by lithium batteries | New York | Electric bicycles

[The Epoch Times, November 14, 2023](The Epoch Times reporter Lin Dan reported in New York) The New York City Fire Department announced on November 13 that three members of three generations of a family in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, were killed on Sunday (November 12). The fire that killed and injured a total of 14 people was again caused by lithium-ion batteries.

Just after 4 a.m. on November 12, a fire started in the basement of the residence at 242 Albany Ave. in Brooklyn. The fire spread quickly and quickly engulfed the entire house. Firefighters arrived at the scene within minutes of the call but were unable to save three family members – a grandmother, son and grandson.

At a press conference the next day, New York City Fire Department Chief Laura Kavanagh said that the department had determined that the cause of the fire was the lithium battery of the electric scooter.

Kavanagh said lithium-ion battery fires alone have killed 17 people in New York City so far this year, a number that is “shocking and devastating, which is why we’ve been sounding the alarm for some time.” .”

The city’s Fire Department said there will be 93 fatal fires in New York City in 2023 alone, and it expects to see 100 fatal fires before the end of the year. “These are staggering numbers that haven’t been seen in decades,” Kavanagh said.

Lithium-ion battery products can easily explode when they are substandard, improperly stored, or charged with inappropriate power cords or equipment, leading to fast-spreading, difficult-to-control fires.

“These (lithium batteries) don’t emit smoke, and smoke detectors usually only give you an early warning when they emit smoke… they (lithium batteries) can explode,” Kavanagh said. “Once they explode, that’s when they can There’s going to be a fire and you can’t escape.”

This year, New York City passed legislation banning the sale and use of unregulated e-bikes, e-scooters and lithium batteries and ensuring the safe storage of hazardous batteries. Kavanagh criticized businesses selling substandard e-scooters or lithium-ion batteries linked to the fires as having “blood on their hands.”

Kavanagh also said that retailers such as Amazon and Walmart must stop selling batteries and electric bicycles or electric scooters that have not been tested and certified by national laboratories, and apps such as food delivery platforms GrubHub and UberEats must take more measures. Ensure the safety of delivery men who use electric bicycles to deliver food.

Kavanagh urged New Yorkers to report unsafe e-bikes, e-scooters and lithium batteries to the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) and 311, which will review any complaints within 12 hours; but she also noted that the Fire Department The bureau cannot inspect private residences like what happened on the 12th. Therefore, she further emphasized that retailers must take responsibility and stop selling unsafe devices.

Editor in charge: Chen Minqi