On December 18, 2021, a fire broke out on the fourth floor of a Manhattan high rise apartment building. With smoke billowing from the windows and flames enveloping the building, two teenagers managed to escape the blaze by climbing out of the window and holding on to an exterior pole to lower themselves down. This is another case of a lithium battery fire that had devastating consequences. If you or a loved one has experienced a traumatic lithium battery explosion, contact an experienced Lithium battery fire attorney right away.
What happened?
An 18-year old girl and a 13 year-old boy were caught on camera fleeing the building via a fourth-story window to escape the fire. The first one escaped, latched onto the exterior pole, and lent a hand to the other to help them escape the blaze as well. Both teenagers made it to safety on the ground.
Unfortunately, a man was found dead inside the burning apartment and 3 others suffered life-threatening injuries. Four more people sustained non life-threatening injuries.
What caused the fire?
The New York Fire Marshal has determined the cause of the fire to be from a lithium-ion battery in an electric bike.
Fire Department of New York Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro added the fire was part of an alarming trend in the city, last year there were only 44 fires caused by lithium-ion batteries. However this year, he said they’ve had 93 fires, more than 70 injuries and now four deaths caused by lithium-ion battery fires.
To prevent a rise in injuries and death in this dangerous trend, the FDNY is urging anyone with electric bikes to charge them in outdoor settings whenever possible. If an outdoor area is not accessible to you, then charge the batteries while you’re awake and can keep an eye on them.
How Can a Fire Injury Lawyer Help?
Ronemus & Vilensky currently represents 30 people who were injured and died when the battery of a lithium bike exploded and started a fire, killing two and severely burning several other people. Our attorneys have the experience and knowledge to help you get the compensation you deserve for pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages and more. Contact our NYC Fire Injury Attorneys today for a free consultation or call 212-779-7070.
