Eight people including one child were injured after a fire broke out in a Bronx apartment the evening of Sept. 28. According to a Fox5 news report, the fire started around 5:40 p.m. on East 199th Street between Jerome Avenue and Grand Concourse. Investigators are looking into whether the fire may have been sparked by e-bikes. Fox5 reports that neighbors heard a loud explosion from one of the apartments. The building super also told the outlet that he has been trying to keep e-bikes out of the building.
When firefighters arrived, they found several residents on the fire escape. One woman who ran out of the apartment with her baby told reporters that “it was like a movie” when she opened the door. She said she saw black smoke and that another resident had lost everything in her apartment as a result of the fire. The building has more than 30 units and at least 10 apartments were damaged by the fire. The most seriously injured victim was a child who was transported to the hospital after complaining of chest pains. The investigation into the fire is ongoing. Our thoughts and prayers for all who have been affected by this fire.
Fires Caused by E-Bikes in New York
E-bike fires have become a growing concern in New York City as the popularity of electric bicycles rises. These fires are primarily linked to faulty or improperly charged lithium-ion batteries, which power most e-bikes. When these batteries overheat, they can catch fire or even explode, posing significant risks to riders, residents, and emergency responders.
In 2023, New York City saw a sharp increase in e-bike-related fires, many of which were fatal. The New York Fire Department (FDNY) reported that by mid-2023, there had already been over 100 e-bike fires, resulting in several deaths and numerous injuries. These fires often occur when bikes are being charged indoors, especially in tight spaces like apartments, where the flames can quickly spread.
In response, the city has implemented measures to combat this issue, including educating the public on safe charging practices and regulating the sale of e-bikes with certified batteries. The FDNY advises e-bike owners to use only the manufacturer’s charger and avoid charging the bike for extended periods, particularly overnight. Additionally, the New York City Council has passed laws to ban the sale of uncertified batteries, aiming to reduce the use of dangerous aftermarket products.
Property Owner’s/Manager’s Responsibilities
In New York, property owners/managers have specific legal responsibilities regarding the installation and maintenance of smoke detectors to ensure tenant safety. According to New York City law, property owners/managers must install at least one operational smoke detector in each apartment or dwelling unit. These devices must be placed within 10 feet of each sleeping area, and the alarms must meet standards set by FDNY.
In addition to installing the detectors, property owners/managers are responsible for replacing any smoke detectors that become defective. The law requires that these smoke detectors be equipped with a non-removable, non-replaceable battery that lasts at least 10 years.
Property owners/managers are also required to provide written instructions on how to properly maintain the detectors and what to do in case of malfunction. Failure to comply with smoke detector regulations can result in fines for property owners/managers, especially if it leads to unsafe living conditions. Ensuring that smoke detectors are installed and maintained is a critical part of a building owner’s/manager’s responsibility to promote fire safety in rental properties.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
Whether you have been living as a tenant at a private apartment complex or in a public housing unit (NYCHA) (the Projects), please remember that you have legal rights. If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of dangerous conditions, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys with the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you. For over 53 years, our skilled attorneys have established a proven track record of assisting injured victims. One of our clients — a hot water burn victim — secured $750,000 in damages from the property owner and manager.
Our firm also obtained a $985,000 settlement out of a $1 million insurance policy for two people who suffered smoke inhalation injuries because the homeowner did not have smoke detectors installed and the $15,000 that was left on the insurance policy was for a person that we did not represent. Another of our clients recovered $2,500,000 due to a faulty space heater. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury, lead poisoning and medical malpractice cases including, brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) and cerebral palsy cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: https://www.fox5ny.com/news/bronx-apartment-fire-injures-8-including-child