A massive fire broke out inside a two-story home in a Brooklyn, New York, neighborhood that tragically took the lives of six people, with nine others injured, including first responders.
According to ABC 7 Eyewitness News, the blaze broke out just before 1:40 a.m. on Thursday, November 5, inside a home in Sunset Park. As of this writing, it’s unclear what started the fire, but The New York Times reported that Mayor Zohran Mamdani spoke about concerns about electric bikes, which can cause deadly and destructive fires.
Brooklyn House Fire Kills 6, Injures 9, Including First Responders
A deadly fire broke out inside a two-story Brooklyn home, claiming the lives of six adults and injuring nine others. ABC 7 Eyewitness News reported that officials believe the fire broke out on the second floor of the building, located on 58th Street, and quickly spread throughout the home. The fire did not spread to any other homes.
First responders arrived at the scene within three minutes and 18 seconds, where they located four adults who were found dead inside the building. Two other people, a man and a woman, had also lost their lives as they were being transported to the hospital. USA Today reported that firefighters rescued four other individuals, while four other people, three firefighters, and two police officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said that the blaze was under control by 4:30 a.m. In an X post, the mayor shared, “This is an unimaginable loss, and we grieve alongside every loved one and neighbor and pray for the recovery of those injured.” He also praised first responders who got to the scene so quickly. “I am grateful for the @fdny’s swift response. Our administration is relocating displaced New Yorkers to safe housing and connecting them to long-term support and resources. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.”
What Caused the Massive Brooklyn Home Fire? Mayor Hints at Electric Bikes
As of Thursday morning, there was no clear indication as to what started the deadly blaze. However, ABC 7 reported that two lithium-ion batteries were found at the scene, which are what powers e-bikes.
In a television interview on Thursday, Mayor Mamdani cautioned against the use of electric bikes. “We are investigating what the cause of this fire is, but I can tell you that e-bike fires as a whole have increased to more than 400 fires this year, and they are something that can cause people to lose their lives as well as their livelihoods,” he said.
E-bikes have long been a serious concern in New York City, with the New York Times reporting that there have been 406 fires caused by lithium-ion batteries this year. In fact, firefighters had to respond to a similar blaze on October 28, when a family of four, including a young boy, was killed after an e-bike exploded and started a fire inside a Bronx apartment.
NY Mayor Zohran Mamdani Hints at What Might Have Caused Massive Fire Inside Brooklyn Home Killing 6