Lithium-Ion Batteries Blamed in Boston Firefighter Death
Two investigations are ongoing into the May 23 death of Rescue Company 2 firefighter Robert T. "BK" Kilduff Jr. in Dorchester.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Accidents
Robert T. "BK" Kilduff Jr., 53, a Rescue Company 2 firefighter, died May 23 while responding to a fire at 18 Treadway Road in Dorchester. The fire was caused by lithium-ion batteries that overheated while stored in plastic toolboxes on an enclosed porch.
Why it matters
The Boston Fire Department has seen an increase in fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in recent years, and people often keep as many as a dozen of them in their homes. The case highlights the fire risk these batteries pose when stored improperly in residences.
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and a Boston Fire Department Board of Inquiry are both still investigating Kilduff's death. Findings from both reviews will be shared with the public once completed.
The players
Boston Fire Department
The municipal agency that responds to fires and emergencies across Boston and runs the Board of Inquiry investigating Kilduff's death.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
The federal research agency within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that investigates workplace deaths, including firefighter fatalities.
The details
Kilduff was critically injured after falling from a third-story window while responding to the Dorchester fire. The blaze began in an enclosed porch at the back of the home, where lithium-ion batteries had overheated after being stored in plastic toolboxes.
Timeline
May 23: Kilduff died while responding to the fire at 18 Treadway Road.
November 4: City officials announced the cause of the fire.
Seasonal Patterns
Kilduff's death falls under the federal line-of-duty fatality investigation process run by NIOSH, which examines firefighter deaths to identify preventable causes. The case adds to the record of firefighter deaths tied to battery-related residential fires.
Residents who store multiple lithium-ion batteries at home face a fire risk if those batteries overheat, especially when kept in enclosed spaces. Keeping batteries away from heat sources and out of confined storage can reduce that risk.
The takeaway
Lithium-ion batteries should be stored in open, well-ventilated areas rather than enclosed porches or plastic containers. Checking battery condition and following manufacturer storage guidance can help prevent similar fires.
What happens next
Findings from the NIOSH investigation and the Boston Fire Department Board of Inquiry will be shared with the public after completion.
Further reading
For more on similar incidents, browse Accidents coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Masslive.
