New York City officials are calling for greater regulation of lithium-ion batteries after an electric scooter battery exploded and started a 5-alarm fire in the Bronx on Sunday, destroying a grocery store.
The fire broke out at about 10:40 a.m. Sunday at the Concourse Food Plaza in the Bronx, and more than 200 firefighters responded to the scene. Seven people were injured, including five firefighters, an EMS worker and a civilian, fire officials said.
A video shared by the New York City Fire Department shows the moment the scooter burst into flames in what appears to be a maintenance closet. An individual can be seen attempting to move the smoking scooter just before it explodes.
The video is chilling. When you saw how fast this fire started and spread, it just really gives you a point of pause,” Mayor Eric Adams said at a news conference Sunday.
“There is extraordinary damage,” said Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanaugh. “The roof is caved in. There is nothing left. It’s all because of this one single e-bike.”
The fire spread very quickly, due in part to old buildings with aged lumber, according to Chief of Department John Hodgens.
“The amount of fire that is produced by a single battery in just under five minutes, we were unable to get ahead of it,” Hodgens said. “We stopped the fire from spreading to the furniture store but the fire had already spread to the laundromat. It’s really something that we have never seen before as far as a small fire turning into something like this in a matter of a few minutes.”
In a news conference Tuesday, Kavanaugh was joined by Rep. Ritchie Torres to call for federal safety standards for lithium-ion batteries. In the meantime, fire marshals and the New York City Sheriff to conduct “sweeps” at business suspected of violating fire codes.
“I think a lot of the stores dont realize some of the practices theyre engaged in are dangerous,” said Chief Fire Marshal Dan Flynn. “Were not looking to hammer small business over this, we want people just to be safe.”
Fire officials are advising anyone with lithium-ion battery-powered bikes and scooters to ensure they are using the manufacturer-recommended power cords and accessories, and storing them safely.
