An fire sparked by lithium-ion batteries used in electric bikes resulted in the tragic deaths of four individuals in New York on Tuesday, according to the fire department. This incident once again raises concerns over the rising number of accidents associated with the booming home delivery sector.

The fire broke out overnight in a small electric bike and scooter repair shop on the ground floor of a building. A striking photo shared by the New York Fire Department on their official Twitter account showed a massive pile of charred two-wheelers strewn on the street below.

During a press conference at the scene in Manhattan’s Chinatown, Laura Kavanagh, the city’s fire chief, confirmed a death toll of four, with two others sustaining serious injuries. “It’s clear that this was caused by lithium-ion batteries and electric bikes,” she added, noting that the store had previously been cited for safety violations.

This incident marks the 108th fire of its kind in New York City this year alone, resulting in a total of 66 injuries and 13 deaths, including the victims from Tuesday’s tragedy, as reported by the fire department. In April, a 19-year-old woman and her 7-year-old brother lost their lives in a similar fire in the Queens borough.

These fires have been on the rise (44 in 2020, 104 in 2021, 220 in 2022), paralleling the increased use of electric bikes and scooters by New Yorkers, as well as the surge in meal delivery services to homes and offices—a pervasive sector in the bustling metropolis.

Typically, these fires can be caused by substandard battery quality, aging components, or the cramped conditions under which they are charged. When these batteries explode, “the fire is often so intense that it’s often too late,” explained the fire chief.