Grandma, 76, dies in ‘blowtorch’ explosion of e-bike battery inside a pizzeria – son discovered her ‘burnt like a roast pig’
A grandma was killed after an e-bike battery went up in flames in a New York Metropolis pizzeria.
The 76-year-old lady grew to become entrapped within the restaurant’s toilet because of the hearth, and after liberating herself, collapsed within the billowing smoke, in line with officers.
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“For me to search out my mother burnt like a roast pig, nearly 100% of her entire physique, is a reminiscence I can’t overlook,” Tommy Ou Yang, the girl’s son, informed the New York Day by day Information.
“She’s a really loving mother or father, a loving grandmother. All her grandchildren, all of them miss her.”
Yuet Kiu Cheung stopped on the pizza store with a good friend when a supply e-bike positioned outdoors of the restroom caught hearth on Friday afternoon.
She by no means made it out alive, and was the primary individual to be killed by a lithium-ion battery hearth in New York Metropolis this 12 months.
“She wished to make use of the restroom earlier than she left. She went inside the lavatory,” her son informed the outlet.
“After about possibly a minute there have been three explosions after which there was some sort of bizarre odor that she doesn’t know the best way to describe. Nevertheless it was a bizarre odor and impulsively the black smoke comes out.”
A metropolis hearth marshal stated that Cheung could not get out, and have become entrapped within the toilet.
As soon as she was capable of escape, the smoke consumed her.
“These fires are very treacherous. They transfer in a short time and they’re very popular,” FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker stated in a press convention after the incident.
“You possibly can’t go far earlier than you’re overtaken.”
The grandmother was pulled out of the burning constructing and died the subsequent day on the hospital.
No different individuals had been injured through the hearth.
“The neighborhood, all people loves her,” her son stated of Cheung.
“She’s at all times very pleasant with all people, tries to assist everybody.”
FDNY’s Security Tips about Lithium-ion Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are utilized in varied units, generally powering cell telephones, laptops, tablets, energy instruments, electrical vehicles, and e-micromobility units akin to e-bikes and e-scooters.
Lithium-ion batteries retailer a considerable amount of vitality and may pose a menace if not handled correctly.
Given the nascent trade and lack of federal requirements for e-micromobility merchandise, a lot of the batteries in these units are or turn into faulty and may overheat, catch hearth, or explode.
In 2023 alone, there have been 268 fires attributable to lithium-ion batteries, a lot of which had been used to energy e-bikes.
Normal Security Suggestions:
- When buying units, search for the Underwriter Laboratories (UL) Mark. The UL mark exhibits that the product has been examined to nationally acknowledged security requirements
- Comply with the gadget producer’s directions for charging and storage. At all times use the producer’s wire and energy adapter made particularly for the gadget.
- When buying a brand new battery, purchase the producer’s battery that’s suitable along with your gadget. Don’t search different battery choices.
Battery Dos:
- If doable, cost your gadget outdoors
- Preserve your batteries and gadget at room temperature
- Plug your gadget charger straight right into a wall outlet
- Retailer and cost batteries away from something flammable
- Monitor your battery for any odors, modifications in form or colour, leaking, or odd noises
- If you happen to discover any of those circumstances, discontinue use instantly. Whether it is protected to take action, transfer the gadget away from something that may catch hearth and name 9-1-1
Battery Don’ts
- Don’t cost your gadget close to exits and factors of egress, together with your house door, bed room door, and home windows (notably close to a window with a hearth escape)
- Don’t cost your gadget in your bed room
- Don’t cost your gadget on any floor aside from the ground
- Don’t place your battery or cost in direct daylight
- Don’t cost utilizing an extension wire
Disposal
- Placing lithium-ion batteries within the trash or recycling at dwelling is against the law
- Recycle batteries by taking them to a Particular Waste Drop-Off Website. Go to nyc.gov/batteries for disposal directions and extra disposal choices close to you
- Individually bag batteries or tape ends earlier than disposing of them
Supply: FDNYSmart.org
Metropolis officers have warned concerning the risks of E-bike lithium-ion batteries in recent times.
Six individuals had been killed in 2024 by e-bike or scooter fires, the loss of life rely the 12 months prior reaching 18.
In keeping with the Day by day Information, FDNY has handled 122 lithium-ion battery associated fires in 2025, however this was the primary fatality.
“These units may be extraordinarily harmful,” Tucker stated.
“We now have been working so arduous to place out the message that e-mobility units don’t belong inside,” he continued.
“You possibly can’t cost them inside and should purchase a licensed UL (Underwriters Laboratories) battery.”
Officers warned of the risks for knockoff batteries that many supply drivers use as they attempt to hold their bikes or scooters charged.
The division informed house owners to solely use the factory-installed batteries, not permit them to cost in a single day, and to maintain them outdoors if capable of.
“These should not be inside indoor areas,” her son stated.
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