New York teen killed when his e-bike battery explodes

But the bike’s battery exploded, killing the family’s dog and two cats and ending Matthews’ life in a fiery blaze in the Albany Houses on Aug. 28th. “As a family it is tremendously hard,” said the victim’s aunt, who gave her name only as Claudia. “It still feels unreal.” The FDNY has confirmed the 7 p.m. blaze in the family’s 12th-floor NYCHA apartment on Troy Ave. near Bergen St. in Crown Heights was sparked by a lithium-ion battery. Matthews was charging his e-bike so that he could visit his grandmother in Queens when its battery exploded, according to his aunt. The e-bike “was another part of the independence he was just beginning to experience”, according to a GoFundMe created by the family to cover the teen’s funeral expenses. “Caleb said riding it made him feel free. The GoFundMe also aims to support Matthews’ grieving mom, who lost her son and also pets and all her possessions.

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Scoop News DeskSpecific city/county not stated, New York · Published Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 5:19 AM UTCUpdated Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 1:11 AM UTC

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If his story helps even one person recognize the danger sooner or take extra precautions, it could save a life.” Deaths related to lithium-ion battery fires have steadily decreased in New York City since explosions caused by the devices killed 18 people in 2023. FDNY officials noted at a press conference in July that an increasing amount of battery-related fires are happening outdoors, with 137 non-structural fires in 2026 as compared to 48 at this time last year. “We strongly believe e-bikes should be regulated more and not be charged inside homes,” Claudia said.

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