Lithium Ion Battery Suspected As Cause of Death At Bronx Apartment Fire By Beaumont Avenue and Grote Street
BRONX, NEW YORK (October 28, 2024) – A 34-year-old man has tragically died, and several people were injured in a Bronx apartment fire by Beaumont Avenue and Grote Street.
New York City officials are saying that the incident took place on Tuesday night. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the incident in order to put out the fire and help the victims.
Multiple people were extricated from the building. Sadly, one man died from the severe nature of his injuries.
Authorities believe that the fire was caused by a lithium-ion battery. This is the 5th fatality caused by a lithium-ion battery so far in 2024.
Liability For New York City Apartment Fires
Deadly lithium-ion fires remain all too common. According to the New York Times, “Though lithium battery fires are still occurring at the same pace as last year, the rate of injuries and deaths from them has slowed. There have been three deaths and 84 injuries this year as of Sept. 30, down from 14 deaths and 114 injuries during the same period in 2023.” There are a number of possible reasons that a lithium-ion battery fire might take place.
- Lithium-ion battery cells may overheat, which can lead to a chain reaction known as thermal runway.
- Lithium-ion batteries may short circuit in certain circumstances.
- Lithium-ion batteries are more likely to catch fire if they have physical damage from drops or punctures.
Companies that make products with lithium-ion batteries have the responsibility to make those products reasonably safe. When a company fails to make their products reasonably safe, they could be held accountable through a product liability claim. It is important that certain steps are taken after any fire caused by a lithium-ion battery.
- The battery involved in the incident should be examined.
- Medical records related to the incident should be collected.
- An experienced personal injury attorney should be contacted.
The vast majority of lithium-ion battery fires are preventable. These fires often involve products that were manufactured overseas in countries with less stringent safety standards. In nearly all situations, consumers are simply not aware of the danger that they are putting themselves in when they buy certain products with lithium-ion batteries. The family of any person killed by a lithium-ion battery may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim.
Investigating New York City Apartment Fires
We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the family of the man who died in this Bronx apartment fire. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. There needs to be some accountability for the sake of the victim’s family.
Do you need more information about a New York City apartment fire? Our team of personal injury attorneys is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims get the support and justice that they are owed under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
