Four people have tragically lost their lives in a fire that broke out in a Lower East Side e-bike repair shop in Manhattan. Officials have determined that the fire was caused by a lithium-ion battery. The blaze started at around 12:15 a.m. on Tuesday inside the store on Madison Street, and a nearby deli worker called 911.
When firefighters arrived at the scene, heavy smoke was billowing from the building. Deputy Assistant Chief John Sarrocco stated, “We arrived in just about four minutes. We found heavy fire in an e-bike store, which is located on the first floor.” E-bike fires are known to be explosive and challenging for firefighters to extinguish.
During a press conference held after the incident, FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh urged New Yorkers to be aware of the risks and exercise caution when using lithium-ion battery-powered devices. The e-bike repair shop is part of a six-story building with multiple dwellings above it. It was not open at the time of the fire.
It was revealed during the press conference that the location had previously been summonsed by the FDNY in August for charging e-batteries and the number of batteries on site. FDNY Chief Fire Marshall Dan Flynn confirmed that the business had also received a separate summons in 2021. The owner of the shop was fined $1,600 in relation to the recent summons.
FDNY investigators had been monitoring the business since then and did not observe e-batteries being charged during their most recent visit. However, they noted that the shop had a significant number of batteries, which is also a violation.
The fire claimed the lives of two men and two women, with one of the men being 71 years old. Additionally, at least two women sustained critical injuries and were taken to local hospitals, including the New York-Presbyterian Hospital Cornell burn unit. Another resident was treated and released at the scene, and a firefighter suffered minor injuries.
Eyewitness Belal Alayah described the scene, saying, “A friend of mine came in and yelled ‘there’s a fire next door. I step out, I see the flames so hot it’s going through the metal gate. I knew it was the bike store, so I called the fire department, but the fire kept getting bigger and bigger and it took them awhile to stop the fire.”
Fire Commissioner Kavanagh revealed that this incident marks the 108th fire related to lithium-ion batteries this year, resulting in 13 fatalities. The Red Cross is providing emergency housing to eight households, including 23 adults and 2 children affected by the fire.
The incident has raised concerns about the regulation of lithium-ion batteries in New York City, with officials searching for effective measures to address the issue.
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electric bike fire accident
A press conference that the fire was caused by a lithium-ion battery. The incident occurred in a Lower East Side e-bike repair shop in Manhattan, resulting in the tragic loss of four lives. The fire started around 12:15 a.m. on Tuesday and was reported to the authorities by a deli worker nearby.
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy smoke emitting from the building. Deputy Assistant Chief John Sarrocco mentioned, “We arrived in just about four minutes. We found heavy fire in an e-bike store, which is located on the first floor.” Fighting e-bike fires can be particularly challenging for firefighters due to their explosive nature.
During a subsequent press conference, FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh emphasized the importance of New Yorkers being mindful of the risks associated with lithium-ion battery-powered devices and exercising caution when using them. The e-bike repair shop was situated in a six-story building, with multiple dwellings positioned above it. Fortunately, the store was closed at the time of the fire.
It is tragic to think that four lives were lost in the unfortunate e-bike repair shop fire that occurred in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. The cause of the fire has been confirmed as a lithium-ion battery, and the incident took place around 12:15 a.m. on Tuesday on Madison Street.
Thanks to the quick thinking of a nearby deli worker, who called 911, firefighters were alerted and arrived at the scene promptly. However, upon their arrival, heavy smoke was already billowing from the building. Deputy Assistant Chief John Sarrocco reported that they found “heavy fire in an e-bike store on the first floor.” E-bike fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish due to their explosive nature.
FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh addressed the public during a press conference held after the tragedy. She urged New Yorkers to exercise caution when using lithium-ion battery-powered devices and be aware of the associated risks. The e-bike repair shop was part of a larger building containing multiple dwellings on the upper floors. Fortunately, it was closed at the time of the fire.
During a press conference following the tragic fire that took four lives, it was revealed that the cause of the blaze was a lithium-ion battery. The incident occurred in a Lower East Side e-bike repair shop in Manhattan, breaking out around 12:15 a.m. on Tuesday. The alert came from a local deli worker who called 911.
Firefighters responded quickly to the call, but heavy smoke was already pouring from the building when they arrived. Deputy Assistant Chief John Sarrocco noted, “We arrived in just about four minutes. We found heavy fire in an e-bike store, which is located on the first floor.” Fighting e-bike fires poses unique challenges for firefighters due to their explosive nature.
Following the incident, FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh held a press conference where she urged New Yorkers to exercise caution and be aware of the dangers associated with lithium-ion battery-powered devices. The e-bike repair shop was part of a six-story building that also contained multiple dwellings. Thankfully, the shop was closed when the fire broke out.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with lithium-ion batteries. The incident highlights the need for strict safety regulations and greater awareness around proper storage and handling of these batteries, particularly in environments like e-bike repair shops. It is crucial that we prioritize safety measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.
This tragic incident highlights the potential dangers associated with lithium-ion batteries. It serves as a reminder for proper storage and handling of such batteries to ensure the safety of both individuals and businesses.