By Michael V. Cusenza
FDNY Fire Marshals have determined that Sunday’s fatal three-alarm fire at 242 Albany Ave. in Brooklyn was caused by a lithium-ion battery, the City Fire Department said. The fire killed three members of the same family.
“Another tragedy caused by lithium-ion batteries. We need common sense lithium-ion battery legislation immediately, to prevent more tragedies like this in the future,” said City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park), chairwoman of the Council Committee on Fire and Emergency Management.
File Photo
Sunday’s fire killed three members of the same family, bringing the total number of people killed by fires caused by lithium-ion batteries so far this year to 17.
“This brings our total number of people killed by fires caused by lithium-ion batteries so far this year to 17. This number is staggering and devastating. It underlies a problem that we have been sounding the alarm about for some time,” said Fire Commissioner Lauraa Kavanagh. “We have worked with our local, state, and federal partners to tackle this issue by passing legislation and bills. We have stepped up enforcement and education. There is one area that is lacking, and that is with the private sector. We have called on online retailers to stop selling devices that are not safety certified by a testing laboratory like UL.”
Commissioner Kavanagh referred to uncertified micro mobility devices as “ticking time bombs,” and asked the public to stay vigilant by checking their devices for UL certification and making sure they are taking every safety precaution.
- Do not charge overnight while sleeping
- Do not leave micro mobility devices by exits like doors, hallways, or windows.
- Make sure all charging accessories and batteries are also UL certified.
