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Lithium-ion battery fires in New York have increased by 68% this year and reached a new high. After the deadly fires in Brooklyn and the Bronx, the City Council will hold emergency hearings, and the State Assembly is also pushing for relevant control bills.
new yorkbrooklyn (Brooklyn) On the morning of the 5th, a house on 8th Avenue in Sunset Park caught fire, killing six people.Sugar Residents lost their lives. Late last month, an electric bicycle battery fire took the lives of a family of four in the Bronx. City Council President Julie Menin announced that an emergency monitoring hearing will be held on the 20th to investigate the 68% increase in lithium-ion battery fires in the city this year compared to the same period last year.
Municipal Fire Department (FDNY) data shows that till November 6 this year, 406 cases of fire accidents have been reported in the city.lithium battery Fires caused or suspected to be caused by lithium batteries have reached record levels.
Menin said in a statement that the two fires took the lives of 10 New Yorkers, highlighting the need to act quickly.
He pointed out that electric bicycles and electric scooters have become common modes of transportation for commuters and delivery people, and the city government must confront the fire safety risks posed by lithium-ion batteries. The hearing will hear testimony from city agencies, fire safety experts, advocacy groups and citizens.
Law enforcement sources reported that lithium-ion batteries were found at the scene of the Sunset Park fire, and the fire department found at least two lithium-ion battery electric bicycles in the debris. Although it is currently suspected to be arson, the city fire department said on the 6th that the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Municipal fire department data shows that lithium battery fires have increased year-on-year from 104 cases in 2021 to 292 cases in 2025. There have been 406 cases so far this year, a 68% increase from 241 cases in the same period last year, resulting in nine deaths and 70 injuries.
The latest mayor management report also shows that there were 21,475 residential fires in the city in fiscal year 2026, an increase of 6% from the previous fiscal year.
In terms of administrative districts, Brooklyn is the area most affected by lithium battery fires. The city fire department has identified 276 fires caused by lithium batteries this year, including 93 in Brooklyn, 62 in Manhattan, 57 in Queens, 54 in the Bronx and 10 in Staten Island.
State Representative Lester Chang, who visited the scene of the Sunset Park fire to learn about the situation, has introduced a bill in the state House to regulate lithium batteries.
State Assembly Bill A0723 prohibits the placement of large battery energy storage systems near residential buildings and schools in New York City.
Bill A11362, which he co-sponsored with State Representative Christopher Etches, targets the fire safety of lithium-ion batteries and requires businesses that sell, repair or store lithium-ion batteries, electric bicycles and similar devices to be equipped with proper firefighting and fire extinguishing equipment. Both the bills were sent to the State House of Representatives Consumer Affairs and Protection Committee for consideration on May 13.
Summary FAQ
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Municipal fire department figures show that as of November 6, there have been 406 lithium battery-related fires in the city, an increase of 68% from 241 in the same period last year. It not only reached a record high, but also caused 9 deaths and 70 injuries.
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A series of deadly fires in Brooklyn and the Bronx, which took a total of 10 lives, highlighted the urgent need to address the safety risks of lithium batteries. The hearing will invite testimony from the city, fire experts, advocacy groups and the public.
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A0723, proposed by Zheng Yongjia and Ichas, prohibits large battery energy storage systems from being located near residences and schools; A11362 requires businesses that sell, repair, or store lithium batteries and electric bicycles to be equipped with appropriate fire fighting equipment.
