Two children killed in latest New York City ebike fire; four survive blaze

An electric bike with a battery sits parked outside of a Bronx supermarket in New York City. Fires from these batteries, which are increasingly used in scooters and bicycles, are increasing in number across the nation. The FDNY responded to dozens of such fires last year alone as the devices become popular for both work and recreation. — AFP

NEW YORK: An electric bicycle powered by a lithium ion battery is being blamed for a fatal fire on April 10 in New York City that killed two children, marking the latest in a string of ebike-related fires in the city.

FDNY Chief of Department John Hodgens said it took his firefighters only three minutes to arrive at the Astoria, Queens home. However, with the fast-moving nature of ebike fires and the fact the bike was being charged near the front entrance of the multi-family building, the victims “didn't have a chance to get out of the building” given the intense fire that quickly travelled up the stairs to a second-floor apartment.