Lithium-Ion Batteries Believed To Be the Cause of Fire at Devoe Terrace in University Heights that Injured 13
BRONX, NEW YORK (June 27, 2025) – At least 13 people were injured in a fire at Devoe Terrace in University Heights, Bronx by Webb Avenue and West 190th Street.
New York City officials are saying that the accident took place on Sunday night. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to put out the blaze.
Flames could be seen spreading to nearby homes. A total of 13 people were injured in the blaze, including one firefighter who required intubation.
Investigators believe that the cause of the fire was lithium-ion batteries in an e-bike.
Liability for Bronx Apartment Fires
Residential fires remain leading causes of preventable injury and death in the United States. According to the National Fire Protection Association, “In 2023, local fire departments responded to an estimated 1.39 million fires in the United States. These fires caused an estimated 3,670 civilian fire deaths and 13,350 reported civilian fire injuries. The property damage caused by these fires was estimated at $23 billion.” There are many different causes of apartment fires.
- Lithium-ion batteries overheating
- Cooking accidents
- Unattended candles
- Portable heaters left near flammable material
All property owners in New York have a legal obligation to protect their residents from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. This includes protecting them from the hazards of a fire. Though it is impossible for all fires to be prevented, many steps can be taken in order to alert residents of a fire so that they can exit a premises safely.
- Apartment should be equipped with smoke detectors.
- Apartment exits and entrances should be unobstructed.
- Apartments should be made of non-flammable materials in certain areas.
Depending on the facts of any case, it is also possible that the manufacturer of an e-bike could face liability for a fire. Companies have a legal obligation to ensure that their products are not unreasonably dangerous. If an e-bike battery has a propensity to catch fire, this could form the basis of a civil claim. Any person injured in a residential fire may have legal recourse through a civil claim.
Getting Legal Help for University Heights Apartments Fires
We at GLK Law extend our best wishes to all of the people injured in the Devoe Terrace apartment fire. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent other tragedies like this.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a residential fire at Devoe Terrace? You may have legal recourse. Our team of personal injury attorneys is here to answer any questions that you may have. We are committed to helping accident victims get the support and justice that they need to recover. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
