The FDNY battled a fire at a Richmond Hill e-bike store early Thursday morning for the second time in 17 months. Once again, a Hazmat unit was called on to deal with the presence of lithium-ion batteries after one of the batteries caused the blaze that engulfed the building displacing three households, according to the authorities.
Firefighters arrived at Kings Electric Scooters at 102-44 Jamaica Ave. just before 2:30 a.m. and began removing dozens of charred gas-powered and electric two-wheeled vehicles from the store.
Just like the first time the FDNY responded to a fire at Kings Electric Scooters on March 13, 2023, the fire was sparked in the garage area where the e-bikes and scooters are stored.
The fire was brought under control at 3:21 a.m. One firefighter was transported to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center with minor injuries.
Last month, Mayor Eric Adams and the FDNY launched a $1 million advertising campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of faulty lithium-ion batteries. The campaign featured materials in ten different languages placed in neighborhoods with high concentrations of battery-related fires and advertisements posted in subways, bus stops, digital kiosks and highly trafficked areas.
According to the FDNY, approximately $750,000 was spent on these ads, while an additional $250,000 will be used on educational materials and advanced firefighting equipment to help battle battery fires.
FDNY fire marshals determined the official cause of the blaze to be a lithium-ion battery that is seen on recovered video exploding into flames before engulfing the building. The batter was not charging at the time of the explosion, according to the FDNY.
Inspectors from the city’s Department of Buildings were called to the scene to conduct a structural stability inspection of the two-story mixed-use building and found extensive fire damage throughout the structure with holes in the roof. They determined that the building’s cellar had illegally been converted into two apartments. DOB placed a partial vacate order on the cellar and issued violations for the illegal construction and conversion work done there.
The American Red Cross was on the scene to offer emergency relocation assistance to five adults in three households that were displaced by the fire. The Greater New York Disaster Action Team also provided care items, including clothes, shoes, and recovery information. If any residents impacted by the fire need help with their recovery and have not already connected with the Red Cross, they should call 1-877-RED CROSS (877-733-2767).
