Family devastated after deadly fire at Bronx NYCHA complex as officials warn of e-bike battery dangers

It's a scene the Bronx knows too well, but the tragedy of losing family, no one can possibly prepare for. Everybody's broken, pretty much broken behind the whole scenario. Bruce Mabry says his sister, 33-year-old Syeda Adams, and her son are fighting for their lives in the hospital. The two were trapped inside their family's 11th floor apartment at NYCHA's Patterson Houses when an early morning fire broke out. He was going to be fixing planes and stuff like that, but now they're currently brain dead and we need all prayers. Also inside were Adam's husband and his two sons. Firefighters say one of those boys, who families say is just 10 years old, died at the scene. We're trying to stay strong, but I don't know. Investigators say this e-bike with a lithium-ion battery was blocking the family's only way out. It's a deadly hazard fire officials have been warning about as lithium-ion battery fires continue to plague the city. There is an incredible amount of energy stored in those batteries. A fire extinguisher is not sufficient to put that fire out. According to the FDNY, six people have died in more than 400 lithium-ion battery fires across New York this year. That's already exceeding the 292 battery fires reported last year, as e-bikes have become an increasingly common sight across the city, particularly among delivery workers. We don't want to penalize an industry that needs e-bikes for their work. Now, Borough President Vanessa Gibson says she's pushing for dedicated spaces in public housing where e-bike owners can charge their batteries instead of keeping them in their apartments. Lack of options, people resort to what they believe is the best and what is available, right? Your apartment is available. And of course, the FDNY reminding New Yorkers to check these batteries for a nationally recognized testing laboratory symbol that you can find on the sticker or label on the battery itself that can make all the difference and help a family from experiencing a tragedy like this tonight. We're in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx. Mike LaMort, News 12.