E-scooter Battery Fire Kills Child in Bronx Apartment

A lithium-ion battery inside an e-scooter caught fire while charging overnight in a Bronx apartment, killing an 11-year-old and injuring four other people, the FDNY said. The fire occurred early on October 28 on Morris Avenue in the South Bronx. The flames did not spread to neighboring apartments.

Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore warned that lithium-ion battery fires can kill residents, neighbors and first responders. The FDNY has urged tenants and landlords to store these devices safely and not leave them charging unattended.

Safety guidance includes using devices and batteries certified by a recognized testing laboratory, following manufacturers’ charging and storage instructions, and avoiding generic batteries or chargers unless approved for the device. The FDNY also advises against charging overnight or on beds, couches or pillows, and says batteries should be kept away from heat and exits. Used batteries should be taken to designated recycling centers rather than put in the trash.