The devastating Bronx apartment fire sparked by an e-bike battery has now claimed the lives of four relatives, as three of them died days after the horrific blaze, officials said.
The inferno erupted around 12:50 a.m. Wednesday in the kitchen of an 11th-floor apartment at NYCHA's Patterson Houses, trapping residents inside as the flaming e-bike battery spread through the unit.
Police and fire officials confirmed that the blaze was caused by a faulty e-bike battery that had been left charging in the apartment. The battery exploded, igniting a rapid fire that forced occupants to evacuate.
Three relatives, who had survived the initial fire, succumbed to their injuries days later. The fourth victim died during the emergency response at the scene.
The NYCHA's Patterson Houses is located in the Bronx, a public housing complex managed by the New York City Housing Authority. The incident has prompted investigations into e-bike battery safety and building fire codes.
Officials are urging residents to ensure that e-bike batteries are stored and charged safely to prevent similar tragedies.
