In the early morning of August 12, a house fire broke out in Woodhaven, Queens, New York City, caused by a lithium-ion battery charging. The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) confirmed that the incident injured 6 residents, with one in critical condition.
The fire occurred at a two-story residence located at 89-37 91st St. in Woodhaven. FDNY received a call at 2:30 a.m. reporting a fire in the basement of the house. The lithium-ion battery charging in an apartment suddenly caught fire, waking up the residents inside.
Residents attempted to bring the burning battery outside during their escape, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
Subsequently, FDNY deployed 21 units and a total of 79 firefighters and emergency personnel to the scene. The injured individuals included residents from both the first and second floors of the house.
The blaze was brought under control at 3:20 a.m. FDNY fire investigators later confirmed that the lithium-ion battery being charged was the cause of the fire. Charging lithium batteries were found on the premises before the fire broke out.
One injured person was rushed to Nassau County Medical Center in critical condition. Two others were taken to the New York Presbyterian / Weill Cornell Medical Center, with one in serious condition and another in stable but serious condition. The remaining three individuals sustained minor injuries and received on-site treatment from emergency responders.
The American Red Cross registered two households, comprising six adults and two children, to provide them with emergency assistance, including financial aid and temporary accommodations.
FDNY once again reminded the public that lithium-ion batteries should be charged and stored outdoors whenever possible. It is crucial to avoid charging or storing batteries near exits or escape routes to prevent hindrances during evacuations in case of a fire.