FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh provides an update on recent lithium-ion battery enforcement

April 15, 2024

FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh on Monday detailed a weekend arrest made at an electric bike shop in Brooklyn.

On Friday, April 12, the FDNY E-Safety Task Force returned to a store at 1239 Flatbush Ave., in Brooklyn, to conduct a follow-up inspection following three previous visits to the same location.

Investigators found 15 lithium-ion batteries and multiple e-bikes without proper certification for sale throughout the store. Additionally, little to no compliance was found on previous violations, Commissioner Kavanagh said.

“As we have tragically seen, lithium-ion batteries — especially those that are uncertified — have the potential to explode and rapidly trap residents in a fire. This store was operating below residential apartments,” Commissioner Kavanagh said. “The safety of New Yorkers and our members is our top priority. Our FDNY Fire Marshals and the Bureau of Fire Prevention will continue to crack down on the sellers of these uncertified and dangerous devices, and we will continue to remind people of the dangers they pose.”

The weekend of April 13-14 was busy: There were five fires involving lithium-ion batteries, and 10 total battery caused fires in the last week.

“The problem isn’t going away,” Commissioner Kavanagh said. “If you use them, you must follow our safety tips. Where possible, please store and charge them outside.”