FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker Announces Cause of Manhattan E-Bike Shop Fire Earlier Today
December 3, 2024
The FDNY Reminds Consumers to Use Caution when Purchasing Gifts Containing Batteries this Holiday Season
Photos from the Press Conference Available HERE
Video from the Press Conference Available HERE
The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) Commissioner Robert S. Tucker today announced that a lithium-ion battery caused an all-hands fire at 109 West 38th Street in Manhattan earlier Tuesday morning. The FDNY has visited this location several times, issuing violations and summonses each time.
At 3:08 a.m. on Tuesday, December 3, a fire began in a bike shop that sold and rented lithium-ion battery powered bikes and scooters. FDNY units were met with heavy fire and extinguished the fire at 4:32 a.m. A watch line was left in place in the event of a rekindle, and later in the morning, damaged batteries that were in the basement began a second fire at the location.
"Uncertified or malfunctioning lithium-ion batteries being stored in buildings can be ticking time bombs, especially when left charging unsupervised, and people can be badly injured or killed," said FDNY Commissioner Tucker. "We want everyone to be extremely cautious with how they charge these batteries and how they store them in their apartments or houses — regardless if they are certified or not. The public should make sure that they're not near doors or windows or points of egress. Most importantly, residents should charge and store them outside where possible. All lithium-ion batteries have the potential to explode."
"This is a location we've been at several times. We've conducted enforcement here several times. We've written them violations. We've written them summonses, but they continued to engage in these unsafe practices, and as you can see, what they've done here endangered everybody, not just the public, but our firefighters as well," said FDNY Chief Fire Marshal Daniel Flynn. "The FDNY will continue to inspect these stores. This problem persists. It is not going away."
In June 2023, the FDNY announced a new action plan to expedite investigations into complaints made via 311 about potentially hazardous conditions involving lithium-ion batteries at bike shops and bike repair shops within the five boroughs. The FDNY continues to encourage New Yorkers who see questionable activity related to lithium-ion batteries to call 311 and lodge a complaint. Questionable activity for charging lithium-ion batteries may include large numbers of batteries being charged close together, overloaded and excessive extension cords, sale of batteries that appear to be refurbished, or informal charging centers that do not appear to be properly licensed businesses.
Members of the FDNY will respond to all complaints within 12 hours and take necessary action to relieve any hazardous conditions on the premises. Actions may include issuing violations and, in some cases, vacate orders.
New Yorkers can report improper storage, charging, or disposal of lithium-ion batteries to 311.
Lithium-ion batteries can also be found in popular holiday gifts, like e-bikes, hoverboards, and drones. They also power various common household devices, including cell phones, laptops, tablets, and power tools. When purchasing devices with these batteries online or in-store, check that the device has been certified by a nationally accredited testing laboratory like UL.
Visit FDNYSmart.org to learn more about lithium-ion battery and holiday safety.