Fire Department of New York

Rule Changes

Reports a 41% rise in e-bike battery fires in 2026; most occurred outside homes or businesses as of mid-October

Lithium-ion battery fires now have their own fire class, after ISO published the third edition of ISO 3941 in January 2026 adding Class L for cells and batteries that contain no metallic lithium. New York City had already set a lower regulatory bar: its amended NFPA 855 requires FDNY approval for lithium-ion storage above 1 kilowatt-hour, against 70 kilowatt-hours for lead-acid.

Updated Oct 21

Built World

As of May 2026: Led emergency response to Boston Secor explosion

A gas explosion tore through a Bronx high-rise at 12:19 a.m. on January 24, 2026. Resident Ronald McCallister, 60, was killed and 15 others injured, including firefighters caught in the blast as they arrived to investigate a gas odor. Prosecutors say Samuel Calderon, 55, who did not live in the building, broke into an apartment and disconnected a stove to steal and sell it.

Updated May 23