Fire officials say lithium ion batteries in two electric scooters are to blame for a fast-moving blaze that tore through a Brooklyn brownstone in Crown Heights Sunday, killing three generations of family members. 

Authorities identified the victims as 81-year-old Albertha West, 58-year old Michael West and 33-year-old Jamil West.

Relatives told NY1 Michael and Jamil were Ms. West’s son and grandson, respectively. 

Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh admonished those who continue to illegally sell e-bikes not certified by accredited testing laboratories, and food delivery apps for their inaction.

"There is blood on the hands of this private industry, both from the online retailers who continue to sell these illegal devices to this day and the food delivery apps who continue to think that the problem will solve itself,” Kavanagh said.

The FDNY said these deaths bring the total number of people killed by lithium ion-related fires this year to 17. 

In 2023, firefighters have so far responded to over 200 such fires, resulting in over 120 injuries — more than all of last year.  

Fourteen others were injured by Sunday’s fire, including one firefighter, officials said.

Nextdoor neighbor Hannah Wilson came close to being one of them. She said smoke alarms saved her and her roommate’s life. 

Fire officials also said fire walls made of brick prevented the fire from spreading to the homes on either side of the blaze.

“If we had stayed in there much longer, I’m not sure we would have made it,” Wilson said.

FDNY officials also said the 17 lithium ion battery-related fires brings the total number of fire deaths this year to 93, putting the city on track to surpass 100 fire deaths this year. 

It’s a number they haven’t seen in decades.