Tragedy in New York City: Three Generations of a Family Killed in Electric Scooter Battery Fire

Accident – Death – Obituary News : New York City Fire Commissioner Blames Big Corporations for Rising Death Toll from Electric Vehicle Battery Fires

New York City’s fire commissioner, Laura Kavanagh, held a press conference on Monday outside a Brooklyn home that had been engulfed in flames caused by scooter batteries. The tragic incident claimed the lives of three people and prompted Kavanagh to place blame on big corporations for contributing to the increasing death toll related to power supplies for electric vehicles.

During the press conference, Kavanagh stated that online retailers continue to sell batteries that do not meet safety standards or make false claims about their safety. She also mentioned that the underground economy created by food delivery services has made the sale of low-cost and dangerous batteries, bikes, and scooters highly profitable. Despite the Fire Department’s efforts to enforce regulations and shut down shops distributing these products, new ones continue to emerge, perpetuating the problem.

Kavanagh did not mince her words, stating that “there is blood on the hands of this private industry.” She specifically called out Amazon, Walmart, Grubhub, and Uber Eats as responsible parties.

The number of fire-related deaths caused by electric vehicle batteries in New York City this year alone stands at a staggering 17, according to Kavanagh. This figure contributes to the city’s overall fire death toll of 93 for the year, the highest in decades.

While experts agree that lithium-ion batteries can be safe when produced under accepted standards, the demand for affordable electric bikes and scooters, particularly among low-paid workers in the food delivery industry, has led to an influx of poor-quality batteries. These batteries can catch fire due to various reasons, such as internal failures, incorrect chargers, or excessive charging. Battery fires burn rapidly and intensely, making them challenging to extinguish and escape from.

The Fire Department has taken several measures to address the issue, including public education campaigns, the implementation of stricter local laws, crackdowns on unscrupulous bike shops, and appeals to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to seize unsafe products. However, Kavanagh emphasized that without cooperation from e-commerce giants, there is little more that officials can do.

Kavanagh expressed frustration at the lack of response from delivery apps and online retailers despite reaching out to them. In response, a Walmart spokesperson stated that the company has a “zero tolerance” policy for fraudulent sellers or false claims and takes immediate action when informed of such instances. Grubhub, on the other hand, described the fire as a “horrible tragedy” but expressed surprise and disappointment regarding the commissioner’s comments, citing their support for fire safety initiatives. Uber spokesperson Josh Gold echoed Kavanagh’s sentiment, calling for online retailers to stop selling electric bikes that are not certified to industry standards and suggesting the imposition of a small fee on food deliveries to facilitate the transition to certified bikes. Amazon did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

The fatal blaze in Crown Heights that resulted in the loss of three generations of a family has left the community devastated. The lithium-ion batteries of two scooters caught fire on the first floor of the late-19th-century home, quickly spreading throughout the house. The victims were identified as Albertha West, 81; her son, Michael West, 58; and her grandson, Jamiyl West, 33. Firefighters arrived promptly but were faced with a formidable wall of flames, making it difficult to reach the victims swiftly. Despite their best efforts, only one victim was found on the second floor, while a firefighter managed to rescue two others from the third floor. However, it was too late to save their lives.

The West family had been residing in the house since the 1970s, having moved from South Carolina. A neighbor described them as an active and close-knit family, with the matriarch, Albertha West, regularly driving herself to church and hosting backyard barbecues.

Following the incident, the city’s chief fire marshal, Daniel E. Flynn, stated that two severely damaged standing scooters were discovered inside the house. The extent of the damage prevented the identification of the brands or the determination of whether the batteries were charging at the time of the fire. As television crews filmed the scene, firefighters brought out the charred scooters and placed them on the sidewalk.

The tragic event has highlighted the urgent need for stricter regulations and increased cooperation between private industry and government agencies to ensure the safety of electric vehicle batteries. The Fire Department’s efforts, while commendable, require the support and active involvement of e-commerce giants and delivery apps to eradicate the sale of unsafe products. Only through collective action can the rising death toll from electric vehicle battery fires be curbed, preventing further loss of life and property..