Victim hurt in June lithium-ion battery fire dies from injuries, FDNY says

NEW YORK – An individual who was hurt in a Brooklyn fire sparked by a lithium-ion battery in June has died from his injuries, according to the New York City Fire Department.

The victim died Tuesday, the FDNY said . His identity was not immediately released.

According to the FDNY, this is the second death related to a lithium-ion battery in New York City so far this year.

3 others hurt in Brooklyn fire

Three other people were also hurt in the fire, which broke out in an apartment building on Avenue M between East Fourth and Fifth streets in Midwood on June 27.

FDNY officials said an e-bike was charging when the lithium-ion battery exploded. The flames blocked the apartment's exit, and firefighters had to pull the burning e-bike out of the building. According to FDNY officials, the bike had been left in a hallway at the base of a staircase.

At least two apartments and two businesses were significantly damaged.

Over 100 lithium-ion battery fires investigated in NYC this year, FDNY says

According to FDNY data, at least 50 people have been injured in lithium-ion battery fires in the city so far this year, and there have been over 100 investigations related to lithium-ion battery fires.

In February, Fazil Khan, 27, died when a lithium-ion battery caused a fire at an apartment building in Harlem.

To avoid fires, the FDNY recommends charging lithium-ion batteries outside when possible, never leaving batteries unattended while they're charging, and never leaving a charging battery near windows, doors or other exits.

City and state officials have been pushing for legislation cracking down on safety standards for lithium-ion batteries . In July, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill that:

• Prohibits the sale of batteries not up to manufacturing standards,
• Requires retailers to provide manuals for the batteries,
• And requires training materials for first responders for incidents involving lithium-ion batteries.

In the city, devices that use lithium-ion batteries must meet compliance standards in order to be sold .