By Rocco Parascandola, Nicholas Williams
New York Daily News
NEW YORK — Lithium-ion batteries caused the five-alarm Bronx house fire that injured two residents, including a child, and 13 firefighters and medics, the FDNY said Monday.
One of the firefighters was critically hurt battling the blaze that broke out about 7:20 p.m. Sunday in a multi-family home on Devoe Terrace near W. 190th St. The inferno quickly engulfed the residence before spreading to two other houses.
His condition is improving Deputy Mayor Kaz Daughtry said Monday of the critically hurt firefighter.
“I went to see him this morning,” Daughtry said at a press conference at the burned-out building. “He is in good spirits. He was up. He was talking. He couldn’t wait to get back to work and to go surfing.”
Nine firefighters, four EMS workers and two civilians were hurt, according to Mayor Adams and FDNY officials. Most of the firefighters suffered minor heat exhaustion. One of the hurt EMS workers was a lieutenant who was aiding a firefighter who suffered smoke inhalation.
“We continue to see over and over again the role that lithium-iron batteries are showing. This is why we are looking at every measure possible to remove these batteries off our street,” Adams said on Monday as he examined the aftermath of the blaze. “We are fortunate that no one was killed.”
The fire started from the front porch of the building where the batteries were located. The building is around 115 years old and made of wood and the fire quickly rose to the attic with firefighters facing heavy smoke.
Neighbors told ABC7 New York that everyone got out of the homes alive thanks to other neighbors pulling them to safety, including at least two people who needed help because they rely on scooters and walkers to get around.
“They were helping some old lady, she had an oxygen tank and a walker, they was helping them out,” Jay Lopez told the station. “They have a lot of old scooters on the porch. So maybe one of the batteries? We don’t know.”
Red Cross personnel were sent to the scene to help residents displaced by the fire.
Adams said there has been a 67% drop in lithium ion batteries deaths in 2024 compared to 2023, with no deaths so far this year.
“We are at zero this year. However last night could have been the first one,” FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker said. “We are very lucky that our hero firefighter is alive today.”
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