CNN
—
At least 38 people were injured in a fire in a Manhattan apartment building Saturday morning. Authorities believe a lithium-ion battery connected to a micromobility device is to blame.
Of the injured, two were seriously injured, five were seriously injured, and the rest were minor, Fire Chief Laura Cabana said at a press conference. Officials have not released details about the injured.
Authorities received a call about the fire and smoke at the East 52nd Street building just before 10:30 a.m., the commissioner said. The address given by authorities is his 37-story apartment complex, known as Rivercourt, in his East neighborhood of Midtown Manhattan, which has 292 rooms, according to the building’s website.
The fire brigade arrived on the scene “just over three minutes” after it was first reported and encountered “severe fire conditions” on the 20th floor of the building, FDNY deputy chief Frank Reeve said at a news conference. .
Reeve said two civilians were rescued from the apartment in the fire. Firefighters used ropes to rescue him, he said.
“Fire, EMS, and dispatch did an extraordinary job rescuing a number of civilians, including an incredible roof rescue,” Cabana said, adding that firefighters were “unbelievably dangerous.” He added that he was working in a “situation.”
The blaze “approached the 200th fire of the year and was caused by a lithium-ion battery in a micromobility device,” said Chief Fire Chief Dan Flynn.
“We have seen an exponential increase[in these types of fires]… in the last few years. It sets things on fire,” Flynn said. “These batteries alone that power micromobility devices have caused six deaths this year.”
Lithium-ion batteries in electric bikes or electric scooters self-ignited in a Bronx apartment in January, causing four alarm fires that left firefighters with minor injuries, CNN previously reported.According to FDNY, in 2021. More than 100 fires were caused by e-bikes in the city, injuring 79 people and killing 4 people.
Authorities believe the occupants of the apartment building that likely caused Saturday’s fire were repairing bicycles in the building, Flynn said.
Flynn added that the fire likely started “right behind the front door.” At least five bicycles were recovered from the apartment, he said.
“As we head into the cold winter season, fires are on the rise, so I sincerely ask all New Yorkers to make sure they and their families are safe,” said the fire chief. Kabana said. Make sure the battery you are using is not damaged.”
Firefighters are investigating the scene, officials said.
