Bronx, New York — A devastating apartment fire in New York City has claimed the lives of four members of the same family after an e-bike battery reportedly sparked a blaze inside their apartment, leaving residents trapped with little chance of escape.

The fire broke out shortly after midnight Wednesday in an 11th-floor apartment at NYCHA’s Patterson Houses in the Bronx. A 10-year-old boy, identified in reports as Zion Maine, was the first victim to die. Three other relatives later succumbed to their injuries after being hospitalized in critical condition, bringing the death toll to four.

The incident has raised renewed concerns about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries used in electric bicycles, particularly when they catch fire inside residential buildings.

Three More Family Members Die After Bronx Apartment Fire

According to officials, four family members were hospitalized in grave condition following the Wednesday morning fire.

On Friday, three of those victims died from their injuries. They included two teenage boys, ages 15 and 16, and a 33-year-old woman.

The 10-year-old boy, Zion Maine, had already died after being transported to Jacobi Medical Center. Relatives told the New York Daily News that Zion and the two teenage boys were half-brothers.

The oldest teenager was identified as Jamaree Adam, while the woman who died was identified as his mother, Syida Adam, according to the newspaper.

Syida was reportedly the girlfriend of Zion’s 37-year-old father, Courtney, who remained hospitalized in critical condition following the fire.

The deaths have left a family and a close-knit residential community dealing with an enormous loss.

Burning E-Bike Blocked the Apartment’s Exit

Fire officials said the e-bike was positioned near the apartment’s exit, allowing the fire to spread into an area that residents needed to use to escape.

FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore described the dangerous placement of the electric bicycle during a briefing Wednesday morning.

“An e-bike was placed in the pathway of the exit door,” Bonsignore told reporters.

“It was placed at a spot in the kitchen that made it impossible for the residents to leave safely.”

The burning bicycle and its battery reportedly blocked the main exit, leaving people inside the apartment facing intense flames as firefighters responded.

FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito also described the conditions firefighters encountered when they reached the apartment. Firefighters had to force open the unit’s front door, which was obstructed by the burning e-bike and fire.

“When that door opened, it opened into a heavy fire,” Esposito recalled.

“The e-bike and the kitchen were right inside that door.”

“There was a victim behind the door that they quickly removed and was transported to the hospital.”

The firefighters transported victims for emergency medical treatment, but the incident ultimately resulted in four deaths.

Neighbors Remember 10-Year-Old Zion Maine

The death of 10-year-old Zion has deeply affected neighbors who knew the family and remembered the boy as energetic, funny and friendly.

A neighbor close to the family told The Post that Zion loved basketball and had a lively personality.

“He loved basketball,” the neighbor said.

The neighbor also described him as a young boy who enjoyed making people laugh and sometimes surprised others with the things he said.

Zion also reportedly loved flavored ice popsicles that his mother gave him regularly.

Another neighbor, 32-year-old Cynthia Ayala, remembered him as a child who generally kept to himself and stayed away from trouble.

“He stay out people’s way,” Ayala said. “He don’t be in trouble, it’s not like he was a bad [kid].”

These memories have added to the sadness surrounding the fire as residents remember the young boy and the other family members who lost their lives.

Family Was Part of a Close-Knit Community

Neighbors described the 11th floor of the Patterson Houses building as a close community where residents regularly spent time together.

One neighbor who identified himself as Tony told The Post that Zion’s father, Courtney, worked at a car wash to support the family.

The neighbor described the family’s modest lifestyle and the relationships residents shared within the building.

“We all have cookouts out here, we all hang out,” Tony said.

“The 11th floor is a tight knit floor, we like family.”

The comments reflect how closely connected some residents were and how deeply the tragedy has affected people who knew the victims.

E-Bike Battery Fires Raise Residential Safety Concerns

The Bronx tragedy has also drawn attention to the potential dangers of lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes and other electric mobility devices.

These batteries can create serious fire hazards if they are damaged, defective, improperly charged or otherwise fail. A battery fire inside an apartment can be especially dangerous because flames and smoke may spread quickly through an enclosed living space.

The location of the e-bike in the Bronx apartment was particularly significant because officials said it blocked the residents’ exit route.

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Fire safety experts generally advise keeping exits and hallways clear, using manufacturer-approved chargers and avoiding charging damaged batteries.

Investigation and Family Loss

The fire at Patterson Houses has left four relatives dead, including a young boy, two teenagers and an adult woman. Zion’s father, Courtney, was also reported to be in critical condition following the incident.

The FDNY’s account highlights how the placement of a burning e-bike near an apartment entrance created an immediate obstacle for residents trying to escape.

As the community mourns the victims, the tragedy serves as a reminder of the importance of battery safety and keeping apartment exits accessible during emergencies.

What steps do you think apartment residents should take to prevent e-bike battery fires and keep escape routes safe? Share your thoughts and condolences for the affected family in the comments below.