A significant fire at Sunset Park in Brooklyn has resulted in the tragic loss of six lives and left seven others injured, including three firefighters. The incident has raised alarms about safety issues concerning lithium-ion batteries as reports indicated their presence at the fire site. In response, New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin and City Council Member Phil Wong have issued statements urging stronger safety regulations regarding lithium batteries to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Speaker Menin expressed profound sorrow over the fire, which has cast a shadow of grief over the entire city. She extended her condolences to the families of the victims and wished for a swift recovery for the injured. Furthermore, she praised the bravery of firefighters and emergency responders who risked their lives to assist at the scene.
Menin emphasized that investigators are working diligently to uncover the cause of the fire, but the discovery of lithium-ion batteries at the site raises serious concerns. She asserted that the city government must take additional measures to encourage and enforce safe storage practices for these batteries.
“We’ve reached a point where enough is enough,” Menin declared, stressing that such tragedies cannot be allowed to happen again.
City Council Member Phil Wong also addressed the situation, stating that although the investigation into the fire is ongoing, reports have surfaced indicating that electric bicycles and lithium-ion batteries were stored in the building where the blaze occurred. He underscored the imperative for the public to comprehend the dangers posed by improper usage of lithium batteries, reminding everyone that “just one battery can put an entire building and its occupants at risk.”
Wong seized this opportunity to call on the City Council to expedite the passage of his proposed bill, Introduction 920. This legislation aims to close current regulatory loopholes by preventing multiple electric bicycles from being stored and charged within apartment buildings, thereby safeguarding the safety of other residents. Under existing New York City fire regulations, multiple-unit residential buildings are allowed to store and charge up to five battery-operated devices under certain exemptions.
As winter approaches, Wong urged residents to adhere to specific fire safety measures:
1. Whenever possible, avoid charging electric bicycle and scooter batteries inside homes.
2. Use only batteries that meet UL safety certifications, along with manufacturer-approved chargers.
3. Refrain from using extension cords or power strips for battery charging, and avoid charging the batteries overnight or while unattended.
4. Regularly check smoke detectors, replace batteries when necessary, and ensure that carbon monoxide and gas leak alarms are functioning properly.
5. Keep escape routes clear and establish a household fire escape plan in advance.
Wong further advised that if residents suspect any building violations related to the excessive storage or charging of lithium batteries, they should call 311 to report it, or notify his office so that follow-up measures can be taken, including requesting an investigation by the fire department.
“If you see something unsafe, you should report it,” Wong asserted, also reminding the public to take a few minutes before winter to check their smoke detectors and other safety equipment, as these simple actions could save lives.