A 10-year-old boy died and four members of his family were critically injured after an electric scooter battery sparked a fire inside their Bronx apartment early Wednesday, according to fire officials.
Authorities identified the child as Zion Maine. The fire broke out shortly before 1 a.m. in an 11th-floor apartment at the Patterson Houses in Mott Haven.
Investigators determined that a scooter equipped with a lithium-ion battery caused the blaze. Its position near the apartment’s entrance left the family trapped as flames and smoke spread through the home.
Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said the battery was in a location that prevented residents from escaping safely.
Maine was taken to a hospital, where he died. Four relatives remained hospitalized in critical condition Thursday.
Approximately 120 firefighters and emergency medical personnel responded to the incident. Officials said crews arrived within four minutes of receiving the emergency call.
The tragedy has renewed warnings about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries. Fire officials urged residents to follow safety guidance when storing and charging electric scooters and bicycles, particularly keeping them clear of doors and escape routes.
