New York Fire Department authorities reported a fire Tuesday that started in an electric vehicle store. According to the same source, the fire spread to homes on the floors above the business headquarters. Four people died in the fire, and two others were seriously injured.
According to authorities, the fire occurred on Manhattan's Lower East Side on the first floor of a six-story building. The first floor houses a repair store for electric bicycles and other similar vehicles.
Three people have died in Chinatown in a fire that began in E bike store Cause unclear so far Three people critical. One firefighter minor @1010WINS @wcbs880 pic.twitter.com/psRwsKxVg7
— glenn schuck (@glennschuck) June 20, 2023
NYFD personnel went to the scene of the fire and worked to control the flames. One member of the department suffered minor injuries.
The next morning, New Yorkers could see large stacks of bicycles and electric scooters piled up in front of 80 Madison Street. According to authorities, the cause of the fire is still under investigation. The NYFD commissioner said at a press conference that there was a high concentration of lithium batteries in the store, which were assessed as a potential cause of the fire.
New York is no stranger to fires caused by the lithium batteries powering electric vehicles. Mayor Eric Adams has already warned about the danger posed by these batteries. In March 2023, another store burned down in New York because of an electric bicycle that was charging its battery inside the store. The New York Fire Department backed Mayor Adams' warnings.
The FDNY is encouraging New Yorkers w/ lithium-ion powered mobility devices to follow practices to prevent fires and keep you safe. Do not leave batteries charging unattended or overnight when you’re sleeping. Do not use power or extension cords to charge. https://t.co/FJM6TLqOnk pic.twitter.com/EQqjvxItds
— FDNY (@FDNY) June 20, 2023
That fire spread to personal residences, just as it did in this most recent incident. According to experts, lithium batteries are a great risk of catching fire if damaged. These batteries' fires are particularly difficult to extinguish due to their materials and characteristics.
Fire departments across the country warned that extinguishing a burning lithium battery requires nearly 18 times more water than extinguishing an ordinary gasoline-powered car. In New York, there have been roughly 200 fires related to these lithium batteries.
