Speaker Julie Menin Announces Emergency Council Hearing on Residential Fires and Lithium-Ion Battery Storage Practices

Following sharp rises in fatal and battery-related fires, Council will hold major joint oversight hearing on existing laws, enforcement, and potential new legislation

NEW YORK - Today, Speaker Julie Menin announced that the New York City Council will hold a joint oversight hearing on November 20 to examine residential fire safety, following a concerning increase in fatal fires, including battery-related fires, across the city.

The hearing will be led by Speaker Menin; Council Member Joann Ariola, Chair of the Committee on Fire and Emergency Management; and Council Member Pierina Sanchez, Chair of the Committee on Housing and Buildings.

During the hearing, the Committees will conduct oversight on existing laws to ensure they are being enforced properly and that the public is being educated on best fire safety practices and lithium-ion battery storage. The Council will hear testimony from city agencies, fire safety experts, advocates, workers, and members of the public as it evaluates approaches to improving fire safety within New York City's residential buildings.

"The recent building fires in Sunset Park and in the South Bronx, which collectively claimed the lives of 10 New Yorkers, are heartbreaking tragedies that underscore the urgent need for action to prevent further loss of life," said Speaker Julie Menin. "As e-bikes and e-scooters continue to become a more common mode of transportation by commuters and delivery workers throughout our city, we must confront the serious fire safety risks posed by lithium-ion batteries. Every New Yorker deserves to feel safe in their home, and the Council will take action to strengthen safety measures and prevent future tragedies."

In Fiscal Year 2026, structural residential fires went up by six percent - going from 20,180 fires in Fiscal Year 2025 to 21,475 in Fiscal Year 2026, according to the Mayor's 2026 Management Report. So far in calendar year 2026, there have been a total of 406 battery fires, in comparison to 241 battery fires over the same period in 2025. FDNY reported that this year there have been nine deaths and 70 people injured due to battery fires.

This week, a deadly fire in Brooklyn's Sunset Park tragically took the lives of six people and injured nine others. Just a week earlier, in late October, an e-bike battery caught fire in a Bronx apartment complex, killing four members of a family, including an 11-year-old boy.

"My community is in mourning after six lives were tragically lost in the Sunset Park fire," said Council Member Susan Zhuang. "While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, e-bikes were found at the scene and we cannot ignore the growing safety concerns surrounding these vehicles and their batteries. Any life lost is one too many. We must take action now by advancing stronger regulations and investing in education to ensure the safety of our communities."

Relevant existing laws on residential fire and lithium-ion battery safety include:

• Local Law 38/2023: Requires the FDNY, in consultation with the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), to develop and conduct an information campaign to educate the public on the fire risks posed by powered mobility devices such as e-bikes and electric scooters.
• Local Law 39/2023: Restricts the sale, lease, or rental of powered mobility devices, such as e-bikes and electric scooters, and storage batteries for the devices that fail to meet recognized safety standard certification.
• Local Law 40/2023: Requires the FDNY to submit five reports (one per year for five years) related to fire risks associated with powered mobility devices, such as e-bikes and electric scooters.
• Local Law 41/2023: Requires DCWP to develop and publish educational materials on e-bike safety risks and mitigation measures for delivery workers.
• Local Law 42/2023: Restricts the assembly and reconditioning of lithium-ion batteries with cells removed from used batteries, and their commercial sale.
• Local Law 131/2023: Requires the establishment of a program for individuals to receive new powered mobility devices (electric scooters, electric bicycles, etc.) or lithium-ion batteries for use in such devices that meet relevant fire safety standards.

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