E-Bike Batteries Triggered Sunset Park Fire Earlier this Week

The three-alarm blaze that erupted earlier this week in Sunset Park has been investigated by the FDNY who discovered that lithium-ion batteries used for E-bikes were the culprit.  

A scooter repair store, which was located in the four-story building where the fire started, was storing batteries “contrary to the legal occupancy of the building,” said NYC’s Department of Buildings.

The building’s landlord had been previously issued three violations for the illegal occupancy, failure to properly maintain the building’s inside and exterior walls.

“When these scooters are involved in fires, the batteries can overheat and cause spontaneous combustion,” said FDNY Deputy Assistant Chief John Sarrocco.

The FDNY, on Tuesday, shared photos of the dozens of scooters, e-bikes, and batteries that were removed from the building and damaged by Monday’s fire.

New Yorkers who use lithium batteries, the FDNY wrote on Instagram, must only use the cords and power adapters that were specifically made for each device.

Plus e-scooter and e-bike riders must charge and store their batteries, only according to manufacturers’ instructions.

“If a battery overheats, discontinue use immediately,” wrote the FDNY, which added that more information is available at #FDNYSmart.