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FDNY: 1 killed in Allerton apartment building fire caused by lithium-ion battery

First responders rescued a 64-year-old tenant, who was pronounced dead after being rushed to the hospital.

News 12 Staff

Mar 19, 2023, 9:35 PM

Updated 626 days ago

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The FDNY says a man in an Allerton apartment building was killed Saturday in a fire sparked by a lithium-ion battery.  
The fatal fire started on the top floor of a six-story apartment on Olinville Avenue at around 4 p.m.  
Officials say the blaze, which took 40 minutes to get under control, was caused by an e-bike battery.  
First responders rescued a 64-year-old tenant, who was pronounced dead after being rushed to the hospital. Neighbors described the victim as a kind and quiet individual. They believe his two pet cats also died in the flames.  
Earlier this month, a Fordham Heights supermarket was also hit by a lithium-ion battery involved fire.   
Investigators say the batteries have caused at least 33 fires in the five boroughs this year.  
Neighbors say something must be done to prevent these incidents.  
“They should implement something. A regulation, some kind of testing. Or maybe have a charging station for these things,” said one resident.  
City officials say they are working on legislation that would regulate lithium-ion battery charging and storage in order to keep citizens safe.