New York City recorded 277 lithium-ion battery fires in 2024, compared with 30 in 2019, as concerns grow over e-bike battery failures and consumer safety.
An 18-year-old died after an e-bike battery reportedly exploded inside his family’s Crown Heights apartment on August 28, 2026. The incident has brought renewed attention to the dangers of lithium-ion battery fires involving e-bikes and other electric mobility devices.
An analysis by Lerner & Rowe highlights an approximately 823% increase in NYC lithium-ion battery fires between 2019 and 2024, based on Fire Department of New York (FDNY) figures. During that period, annual incidents rose from 30 to 277, raising questions about battery safety, product quality, and the risks associated with charging electric mobility devices.
Crown Heights Teen Dies Following E-Bike Battery Explosion
Caleb Matthews, 18, died on August 28, 2026, after an e-bike battery reportedly exploded inside his family’s Crown Heights apartment.
His mother, Angelica Welch, described the devastating loss, saying it “doesn’t feel real” and expressing hope that the tragedy was a nightmare she could wake up from.
The incident illustrates the serious consequences that can follow a battery fire inside a residential building.
However, the reported explosion does not establish whether the battery was defective or what caused it to fail. Determining the cause would require examining the battery, charging equipment, and circumstances surrounding the fire.
NYC Lithium-Ion Battery Fires Increased More Than Ninefold
FDNY records show a steady increase in lithium-ion battery fire incidents between 2019 and 2024.
The department recorded 30 fires in 2019, followed by 44 in 2020 and 104 in 2021. Incidents more than doubled to 220 in 2022 before reaching 268 in 2023.
By 2024, the annual total had risen to 277 incidents, representing an approximately 823% increase compared with 2019.
One of the sharpest increases occurred between 2021 and 2022, when reported fires climbed 111.5%, from 104 to 220 incidents in just one year.
The figures demonstrate how substantially lithium-ion battery fire incidents increased over the five-year period.
The FDNY statistics cover lithium-ion battery and micromobility-related incidents and should not be interpreted as fires caused exclusively by e-bikes.
Battery Fires Caused 18 Deaths and 150 Injuries in 2023
The rise in incidents has also been accompanied by significant injuries and fatalities.
FDNY recorded 13 injuries and no fatalities in 2019. The following year, battery fires caused 23 injuries, with no reported deaths.
By 2021, the number had increased to 79 injuries and four fatalities. In 2022, incidents resulted in 147 injuries and six deaths.
The highest fatality total in the provided FDNY series occurred in 2023, when 268 battery fires caused 18 deaths and 150 injuries.
Although fatalities declined to six in 2024, the number of reported fire incidents increased to 277.
The contrasting figures show that a decline in deaths did not coincide with fewer recorded battery fires.
Why E-Bike Batteries Can Become Fire Hazards
E-bikes and other electric mobility devices rely on rechargeable battery systems that can become dangerous when components fail or equipment is improperly handled.
Several factors can contribute to battery fire risks, including defective battery cells, manufacturing problems, damaged battery packs, unsafe replacement batteries, and incompatible charging equipment.
A particularly dangerous failure is known as thermal runaway. The process occurs when a lithium-ion battery cell generates excessive heat, potentially causing neighboring cells to fail and allowing a fire to spread through the battery pack.
Manufacturing defects or damaged components may create conditions that increase the likelihood of overheating. Improper charging equipment can also contribute to battery failures.
The presence of these potential risk factors does not establish what caused any particular incident, including the Crown Heights fire.
CPSC Identifies Fire Risks in Certain E-Bike Batteries
Federal product safety investigations have identified overheating and fire hazards involving specific e-bike battery products.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warned consumers about certain Unit Pack Power batteries following 13 reports of overheating, including seven reported fires.
The findings demonstrate why battery quality and product safety standards matter when consumers purchase e-bikes or replacement battery packs.
However, the warning relates to the specific products identified by CPSC. It does not establish that other e-bike batteries have the same problems or that those products were involved in Caleb Matthews’ death.
FDNY Inspected 585 E-Bike Shops in 2024
New York City has responded to battery safety concerns with inspections and enforcement actions involving e-bike businesses.
According to FDNY, officials inspected 585 e-bike shops during 2024, issuing 426 summonses, 138 violation orders, and 32 criminal summonses.
Authorities also issued seven vacate orders as part of the enforcement activity.
The inspections reflect the city’s efforts to address battery safety concerns involving businesses that handle e-bikes and related equipment.
The enforcement figures also show that battery safety extends beyond individual consumers to businesses involved in selling, storing, and handling these products.
Who Could Be Responsible After an E-Bike Battery Fire?
When an e-bike battery catches fire, investigators may need to determine whether the incident resulted from a defective product, damaged equipment, improper charging, or another cause.
Potential product liability questions can involve battery manufacturers, e-bike companies, importers, distributors, and retailers.
Investigators may examine battery packs, chargers, purchase records, product labels, safety certifications, and maintenance history to understand the circumstances of a failure.
These details can help determine whether a product defect, inadequate warning, or another factor contributed to an incident.
Legal responsibility cannot be established solely because a battery caught fire. Each case depends on the available evidence and applicable law.
E-Bike Battery Safety Remains an Important Concern
Caleb Matthews’ death highlights the serious consequences that an e-bike battery fire can have for families.
At the same time, FDNY’s historical figures show that reported lithium-ion battery fires increased substantially between 2019 and 2024, while the agency documented serious injuries and fatalities during that period.
The combination of rising fire incidents, federal warnings about specific battery products, and inspections of e-bike shops underscores the continuing importance of battery safety.
Understanding how battery failures occur, identifying unsafe products, and examining the circumstances of individual fires remain important steps toward addressing risks associated with e-bikes and other electric mobility devices.
