A 76-year-old woman tragically lost her life in Queens on the Fourth of July, falling victim to a fire caused by a malfunctioning e-bike battery. The incident occurred inside Singas Famous Pizza in Flushing and claimed NYC's first battery-related death of the year, fire officials informed Gothamist. The fire started around 3 p.m. after an e-bike that was kept inside the pizzeria caught fire.
During the personnel's efforts to quickly extinguish the blaze, the woman was found trapped after attempting to utilize the restroom, which was dangerously blocked by the igniting e-bike. She was consequently rescued by firefighters and received emergency care but succumbed to her injuries the following day in the hospital. In a statement obtained by ABC7NY, FDNY Chief Fire Marshal Daniel Flynn said, "She was trapped. She could not get out of the bathroom because the device was stored directly outside the bathroom. It's a tremendous tragedy."
The FDNY is now more vocal than ever about the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes and similar devices. In a press conference, FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker stressed the importance of safety, saying, "One is too many. And I will not stop talking about safety around lithium-ion batteries and e-mobility devices until the number is zero," as reported by Gothamist. Statistics from the fire department reveal that 2025 has already seen 122 battery-related fires, slightly outpacing the previous year's figures.
This latest incident has reignited ongoing discussions about the safety of e-bikes, particularly concerning where and how to properly charge them to avoid potential hazards. Fire Marshal Flynn highlighted this, telling ABC7NY, "The problem persists here. This has not gone away. We've had 122 battery fires so far this year, similar to the number we had last year, but it's actually a little bit higher." It is further noted by fire officials that such devices should be kept outside and away from any exits.
While the victim's name has yet to be officially released, it's reported she is survived by a close-knit family including two sons and four grandchildren. Overwhelmed with loss and seeking justice for their needless tragedy, the family is now working with a lawyer to address the incident. The owners of Singas Famous Pizza have not responded to media requests for comment on the fatal event.
