The City Council will hold an emergency hearing later this month to examine a troubling 68% increase in lithium-ion battery-related fires across New York City this year.
The November 20 hearing was announced shortly after a devastating blaze tore through a home in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, on Thursday morning, killing six people.
Council Speaker Julie Menin also highlighted a fatal e-bike battery fire in the South Bronx last week that claimed the lives of four family members.
“The recent building fires in Sunset Park and in the South Bronx, which collectively claimed the lives of 10 New Yorkers, are heartbreaking tragedies that underscore the urgent need for action to prevent further loss of life,” Menin said in a statement.
“As e-bikes and e-scooters continue to become a more common mode of transportation for commuters and delivery workers throughout our city, we must confront the serious fire safety risks posed by lithium-ion batteries,” she said.
Law-enforcement sources said lithium-ion batteries were found at the scene of the deadly Sunset Park fire. The FDNY said Friday, however, that the cause of the blaze remained under investigation.
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Residential-building fires increased by 6% during the 2026 fiscal year, with 21,475 incidents recorded compared with 20,180 in the previous fiscal year, according to data from the latest mayor’s management report.
Battery-related fires rose even more sharply, climbing 68% to 406 incidents so far this year from 241 during the same period in 2025.
Lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly used in the increasingly popular e-bikes, have been linked to the deaths of nine people and injuries to 70 New Yorkers this year.
“Every New Yorker deserves to feel safe in their home, and the Council will take action to strengthen safety measures and prevent future tragedies,” Menin said.
The oversight hearing will feature testimony from city agencies, fire safety experts, advocates and members of the public.
