New York City Fire Department launched an investigation this Tuesday (16th) into complaints involving illegal lithium-ion battery charging and replacement. The inspection at 118 and 120 Elizabeth Street in Manhattan’s Chinatown revealed several serious violations and dangerous conditions, including gambling machines, counterfeit goods, unsafe living environments, and high-risk behavior of charging numerous lithium batteries.
Upon entering the buildings, fire inspectors found that the basements of both buildings had been converted into cramped sleeping areas. The basement corridors were transformed into single rooms filled with mattresses, clutter, electric stoves, and small indoor heaters, with no auxiliary exits in any of the “rooms.” Due to the complex maze-like layout of the basement and severe blockages, the consequences of a fire or battery explosion could be catastrophic.
“What our firefighters discovered on Tuesday was a disaster waiting to happen,” said Robert S. Tucker, Commissioner of the New York City Fire Department. “The non-compliant living conditions and unsafe battery charging methods pose a lethal threat to residents and firefighters. Every complaint we investigate has the potential to save lives, and this inspection is a clear example.”
Further inspection revealed the presence of an illegal gambling den at the site, complete with slot machines. Additionally, storage rooms were filled with counterfeit brand name bags and accessories. In the illegally converted basements, lithium-ion batteries were being charged haphazardly, further exacerbating the risk of fires.
Due to the life-threatening hazards identified during the inspection, the Fire Department immediately requested the Department of Buildings (DOB) and the New York City Police Department (NYPD) to intervene. The DOB issued partial vacate orders for the basements of both buildings, while the police confiscated the gambling equipment and counterfeit goods. The Fire Department also issued two summonses each for 118 and 120 Elizabeth Street.
The Fire Department urged all New Yorkers to report similar unsafe conditions and illegal battery charging hazards by calling 311.
Building complaint records also indicate that 118 Elizabeth Street had been previously reported for illegally converting the basement into apartments as early as 2010, with complaints in 2019 describing overcrowded conditions with bedbugs, rats, filth, and insects. Similarly, 120 Elizabeth Street faced multiple complaints from 2010 to 2021, including accusations of the owner converting the basement into an illegal massage parlor without permits and engaging in prostitution activities.
In fact, the issue of underground gambling dens in the Fujianese community has been reported repeatedly. These underground gambling establishments are often hidden in the basements of office buildings or residential buildings, or in private apartments or association rooms. Due to the frequent foot traffic in these places and the discreet entrances and exits, they have become breeding grounds for illegal gambling. According to insiders, the venue providers take a cut from the slot machines; the suppliers pre-set the odds to ensure guaranteed profits and share with the venue providers, while the players are at the bottom of the food chain, destined to lose more than they win.