E-Bike Batteries and Illegal Apartments Probed After Six Die in Brooklyn Fire

A follow-up investigation into the deadly Sunset Park, Brooklyn fire that killed six people and injured nine others — including firefighters and police officers — focused on two possible causes on November 6, 2026. Department of Buildings records revealed three complaints about illegal construction at the two-story row house on 58th Street: an unauthorised basement apartment and subdivided units on the first and second floors. City inspectors had tried and failed to access the building on four occasions between September 2025 and August 2026. At the scene, investigators found two lithium-ion batteries and a charred e-bike, though officials had not confirmed whether the batteries started the fire. At least eleven people were believed to be living in the home. Officials noted the city has seen a sharp rise in e-bike battery fires in 2026: 406 incidents causing 70 injuries, compared with 241 fires and 42 injuries the previous year. The FDNY warned that unauthorised subdivisions can block escape routes and do not meet fire codes. The fire was first reported just before 1:40 a.m. on November 5 and took about three hours to bring under control.