MOTT HAVEN, Bronx (WABC) — An 11-year-old boy who died in a Bronx apartment fire caused by an electric scooter battery has been identified as Zion Maine, as four of his relatives remained hospitalized in critical condition Thursday. Firefighters said the fire broke out shortly before 1 a.m. Wednesday inside an 11th-floor apartment at the Patterson Houses in Mott Haven. Investigators determined that an electric scooter equipped with a lithium-ion battery near the apartment’s front door sparked the fire, trapping the family inside as flames and smoke spread through the unit. Authorities said Maine died after being rushed to a hospital. Four family members survived but remain hospitalized. A 15-year-old boy and a 33-year-old woman were taken to Lincoln Hospital and are described by police sources as brain dead. A second child, believed to be between 12 and 16 years old, remains in critical condition. A 37-year-old man remains hospitalized in critical condition at Harlem Hospital, where he is being treated in the burn ICU and has shown some improvement while in a medically induced coma. The mother of a man seriously injured in the deadly fire is pushing back against criticism directed at her son as her family deals with the loss of Maine and the injuries of several family members. Regina Robinson said her son and one grandson remain seriously injured, while another grandson, 11-year-old Zion Maine, died in the fire Wednesday. Robinson said he does not believe his son would have knowingly put his family at risk. “If you really knew this was going to happen, you would never put your children and your family in danger,” Robinson said. He expressed concern that his son might blame himself for the tragedy. “When my son wakes up, if he wakes up, he’s going to blame himself for this because he’s the man of the house,” Robinson said. Firefighters said the electric scooter was stored near the apartment’s front door. Intense flames blocked the exit and hampered firefighters’ efforts to reach those inside. Robinson questioned why his son has been blamed. “Thirty percent of my son’s body is burned and they want to blame him. Why?” said. Lithium-ion battery fires continue to pose a deadly danger in New York City. Authorities said there have been more than 400 such fires this year, resulting in six deaths. The issue of safe storage of electric bicycles and scooters remains a challenge as the devices have become an important means of transportation and a vital tool for delivery workers. On Thursday, local leaders addressed the need for solutions. “This is absolutely preventable. And, you know, I think it’s up to us to work to find those solutions,” said New York City Council District 8 Representative Elsie Encarnación. Zohran Mamdani said e-bikes remain an important part of the daily lives of many New Yorkers. “For many New Yorkers, these bikes are part of their livelihood. This is something that will continue to be a part of our lives. We ask New Yorkers to stay as safe as possible and we will see if there is any other way to help them,” Mamdani said. As investigators continue to examine the fire, Robinson said her attention remains focused on the recovery of her son and his injuries. family members as they mourn the loss of their grandson.———-* More Bronx news* Send us a news tip* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts* Download our Connected TV app Send a tip or story idea to Eyewitness NewsDo you have a breaking news tip or story idea we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If you attach a video or photo, the terms of use apply. Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All rights reserved.
