FDNY Reports Sharp Rise in Lithium-Ion Battery Fires

New York City fire officials are warning residents to exercise extreme caution regarding the storage and maintenance of lithium-ion batteries following a significant surge in fire incidents this year. During a July 22 press conference, FDNY First Deputy Commissioner Daniel Flynn and Chief Fire Marshal Michael Kavanagh reported that the department has investigated 235 such fires so far in 2026, marking a 70% increase over the 138 incidents recorded by this time last year.

Chief Fire Marshal Kavanagh highlighted a notable shift in the nature of these emergencies, pointing to a nearly threefold increase in non-structural fires, which rose from 48 to 137. Despite the higher frequency of blazes, officials noted that the number of fire-related fatalities has trended downward in recent years. However, the city did record its first lithium-ion battery-related death of 2026 on July 18, following a June 26 fire at a residence on 91st Avenue in Queens. In that incident, a 48-year-old man was forced to escape through a window after a charging micro-mobility device ignited in the kitchen, blocking the primary exit.

Commissioner Flynn suggested that the rise in fires may be linked to the aging of devices purchased during the initial surge in popularity of electric micro-mobility products. He advised residents to remain vigilant for signs of battery degradation, such as devices that feel excessively hot during charging, fail to hold a charge, or exhibit physical damage like leaking.

"Devices that have lithium-ion batteries in them eventually fail to work properly," Flynn stated, recommending that owners monitor their equipment closely and dispose of any units showing signs of malfunction. While the department continues to urge the public to store these batteries outside whenever possible, officials expressed a belief that public awareness campaigns have helped prevent more severe outcomes, noting that many residents have begun moving charging activities away from living spaces.