A critically injured firefighter fights for his life as thirteen others are hospitalized following a five-alarm blaze in the Bronx caused by lithium batteries from motorized scooters.
Key Takeaways
- Thirteen firefighters and one civilian were hospitalized after a devastating fire that spread to three homes in the Bronx’s University Heights neighborhood.
- Lithium-ion batteries from motorized devices are suspected to be the cause, highlighting the growing danger these power sources pose in urban settings.
- Nearly 200 firefighters responded to the blaze, which quickly escalated to five alarms due to the difficult-to-extinguish battery fires.
- Neighbors helped evacuate elderly and mobility-impaired residents before first responders arrived, preventing potential fatalities.
- The FDNY has established a dedicated Lithium-Ion Battery Task Force to address the increasing fire hazards posed by these batteries citywide.
Battery-Fueled Inferno Spreads Through Multiple Homes
The five-alarm fire erupted Sunday evening at 7:24 p.m. on the first floor of a multifamily home at 2462 Devoe Terrace in the University Heights section of the Bronx. The blaze quickly spread to two adjacent homes, fueled by lithium-ion batteries from motorized scooters stored on the porch. A massive response of 198 firefighters battled the stubborn flames as they struggled to contain the fire, which proved exceptionally difficult to extinguish due to the nature of lithium battery fires that can reignite repeatedly and resist traditional firefighting methods.
One resident familiar with the household pointed to the likely cause of the devastating fire. “They have a lot of old scooters on the porch. So maybe one of the batteries? We don’t know. The fire was in the front, the whole front. They couldn’t get in, the fire was in the front of it, blowing up,” said Zona Williams, a neighborhood witness to the blaze.
Heroism Amid Chaos as First Responders Pay Heavy Price
The human toll of the massive fire response was severe, with thirteen firefighters sustaining injuries while battling the blaze. One firefighter remains in critical condition, while the others suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The injured included nine firefighters, four paramedics, and one civilian resident. FDNY officials have not released the identities of those hospitalized, but the department continues to monitor their conditions closely, especially the critically injured firefighter who faces a difficult recovery ahead.
“Thirteen Bravest were injured, including one critically, after a five-alarm blaze tore through three homes in the Bronx Sunday, said the FDNY.”
In response to this serious incident, the FDNY has activated its specialized Lithium-Ion Task Force, which conducts inspections and investigations citywide related to the increasingly common and dangerous lithium battery fires. This task force represents the department’s recognition of the growing threat posed by these power sources, which have become ubiquitous in urban environments with the rising popularity of e-bikes, scooters, and other portable electronic devices.
Community Comes Together in Crisis
Before firefighters arrived on scene, neighbors played a crucial role in evacuating residents from the burning buildings, particularly helping those with mobility challenges. Their quick actions likely prevented fatalities in what could have been an even more tragic incident. Witnesses described the community’s immediate response to help their vulnerable neighbors escape the rapidly spreading flames.
“They were helping some old lady, she had an oxygen tank and a walker, they were helping them out,” said Jay Lopez, a local resident who witnessed the evacuation efforts.
In the aftermath of the fire, the American Red Cross has deployed assistance teams to help the displaced residents find temporary housing and provide essential services. FDNY investigators remain on scene to determine the exact cause of the fire, though the presence of lithium batteries has been noted as a significant factor in both the origin and rapid spread of the blaze. This incident serves as yet another stark reminder of the dangers these batteries pose when not properly stored or maintained in residential settings.
