Massive fires in Brooklyn and Queens that displaced dozens and spewed toxic fumes into the air were both caused by exploding lithium-ion batteries, FDNY officials announced Thursday.
“Both of these fires were started by lithium-ion batteries,” Fire Commissioner Rober Tucker said at a news conference.
On Monday, a fire erupted inside a Dean St. apartment building near Mother Gaston Blvd. after an electric scooter exploded on the landing of a third-floor stairwell around 10:30 p.m., according to Chief Fire Marshal Daniel Flynn. The fire quickly spread to four neighboring buildings, displacing 31 people and injuring nine, including six firefighters.
“One single battery took out five homes,” said Flynn.
A fire broke out on a barge floating on Newtown Creek near Greenpoint Ave. Tuesday night after a lithium-ion battery exploded at a Long Island City scrap yard around 9:30 p.m., Flynn said. No one was injured in the fire, but the conflagration hurled toxic chemicals into the air as firefighters battled the blaze for more than four hours, he said.
“These two operations were extremely taxing on our units and to the residents, not to mention the surrounding communities,” said the chief fire marshal.
This year there have been 171 fires caused by lithium-ion batteries resulting in 59 injuries and three deaths, Tucker said.
Originally Published: