FDNY officials confirmed three e-bike fires broke out across the borough in the first 12 days of May. An FDNY spokesperson told Norwood News an e-bike fire was reported at 11.49 a.m. on Sunday, May 12, when firefighters were called to 2105 Ryer Avenue in Fordham Heights, between East 180th and East 181st Streets. The spokesperson said four e-bikes were discovered burning outside the front entrance of the 5-story building. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, they said.

 

A video posted to the Citizens’ App of the incident showed members of Tower Ladder 33 and Engine 75, based at 2175 Walton Avenue, pouring water on what appeared to be e-bikes and scooters. Citizens App user, LuvaGurwl15, asked, “Another bike fire?” before adding, “If so, when (are) people going to understand that these bikes are dangerous?”

 

Meanwhile, the same FDNY spokesperson confirmed a second, e-bike fire was reported at 5.09 a.m. on Sunday, May 5, at 383 East 152nd Street in the Melrose section of the borough, between Melrose Avenue and Courtlandt Avenue. The spokesperson said firefighters were called for “a report of a fire at the location,” which was later confirmed to be burning on the first floor.

 

The FDNY spokesperson added that a haz-mat (hazardous materials) unit was requested at the location to handle an e-bike. The spokesperson said that fire was brought under control at 5.57 a.m. and no injuries were reported. The spokesperson added that the cause of the fire remains under investigation by fire marshals.

 

The same spokesperson also confirmed firefighters were called to Eastchester Road and Boston Road in the Williamsbridge section at 9.15 a.m. on Sunday, May 5, for a “report of an outdoor e-bike fire.” However, the spokesperson said the FDNY later determined in the end that the blaze was actually caused by an outdoor trash fire, not an e-bike.

 

Norwood News also asked the FDNY about an unconfirmed report of a scooter fire allegedly at 32 East 183rd Street in Belmont at 1.26 p.m. on Thursday, May 2. The spokesperson reported having trouble accessing information on that alleged fire.

 

The spokesperson did confirm a third e-bike fire in the Morrisania section at 1250 Franklin Avenue between East 168th Street and East 169th Street, which was reported at 6.07 a.m. on Wednesday, May 1. “Report of an e-bike fire in a second-floor apartment,” the spokesperson said, adding, “FDNY haz-mat resources requested for possible lithium-ion batteries involved.”

 

The spokesperson added that 12 units, comprising 60 firefighters brought that fire under control at 6.44 a.m. and no injuries were reported. Fire marshals continue to investigate the cause of the fire.

 

Despite testimony given by the FDNY on the dangers of e-bike fires, legislation introduced at various levels of government aimed at preventing fires and regulating the use of lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes and scooters, and outreach efforts by the FDNY to educate the public on the use of such batteries, the FDNY spokesperson said, as of Jan. 1, citywide, 77 investigations have been carried out on fires originating from lithium-ion batteries to date this year.

Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15), who represents a large section of The Bronx, stretching from the northwest to the south, announced that H.R. 1797, the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act, introduced in March 2023, would be voted on in the House of Representatives on May 15. The vote passed in the House.

 

The bill would require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish a final consumer product safety standard for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in micromobility devices, like e-scooters and e-bikes, to protect against the risk of fires caused by such batteries.

 

Torres’ office said the bill “underscores Rep. Torres’s unwavering commitment to improving fire safety for New Yorkers and all Americans.” The congressman previously introduced the “Empowering the U.S. Fire Administration Act” in the wake of the deadly Twin Parks North West fire in Fordham Heights in January 2022, which U.S. President Joe Biden later signed into law.

 

Torres is currently leading the “Safer Heat Act of 2023” to address underlying manufacturing issues and safety concerns with space heaters. As reported (see News Briefs) last month, a broad coalition of companies and interest groups, including DoorDash and Uber, sent a letter to congressional leadership urging the passage of the legislation.

 

Meanwhile, the FDNY spokesperson said of the 77 citywide fire investigations linked to lithium-ion batteries carried out to date this year, there was one death and 38 injuries.

 

Norwood News contacted the Red Cross of Greater New York to ask if any residents were displaced as a result of any of the affected fires. We were informed by a spokesperson that in relation to the fire at 2105 Ryer Avenue in Fordham Heights, between East 180th and East 181st Streets, they had no record of the Red Cross providing assistance at this address.

 

In relation to the e-bike fire at 383 East 152nd Street in the Melrose section of the borough, between Melrose Avenue and Courtlandt Avenue, the spokesperson said the Red Cross registered two households (8 adults, 3 children) for emergency assistance.

 

Regarding the fire at Eastchester Road and Boston Road in Williamsbridge, the spokesperson said the Red Cross did not have any record of a request for Red Cross assistance at the location.

 

Regarding the fire at 32 East 183rd Street in Belmont, the spokesperson said the Red Cross did not have any record of a request for Red Cross assistance.

 

In relatio to the fire in Morrisania at 1250 Franklin Avenue between East 168th Street and East 169th Street, the spokesperson said the Red Cross registered two households (five adults and one child) for emergency assistance.

 

Click here for some previous coverage on this topic. New York City Council voted to pass additional e-bike safety rules to address the dangers of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in February 2024.

 

New laws have also been introduced at a federal and State level to address fire safety prevention and the hazards of lithium-ion batteries and e-bikes.

 

Click here for details of a prior federal recall of 53,000 scooters due to a fire hazard involving the deaths of two children.

 

A full list of educational materials on lithium-ion batteries can be found online. Click here to read FDNY’s fire safety tips.

 

On June 25, 2023 federal and City officials announced funding of $25 million for 173 safe e-charging and storage stations at more than 50 NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA) sites.