E-bike fire inside Sunset Park apartment prompts vacate order, hazmat response
The Department of Buildings posted a partial vacate order for an apartment in the building saying the fire happened in the living room.
More Stories
An overnight fire tied to an e-bike battery inside a Sunset Park apartment building led to a partial vacate order and a hazmat response early Thursday morning.
Fire officials say the call came in around 12:32 a.m. for a fire on the third floor at 550 51st St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues.
According to the FDNY, firefighters found a small fire and were able to put it out. The fire was under control by about 1:35 a.m., and officials say no injuries were reported.
By Thursday morning, the Department of Buildings had posted a partial vacate order for an apartment in the building, saying the fire happened in the living room.
Outside the building, a burnt e-scooter could be seen on the sidewalk. Fire officials confirmed the bike was on fire and crews had to put it out.
Two FDNY drums were also placed near the entrance — containers firefighters often use when removing lithium-ion batteries from a fire scene.
The FDNY says hazmat crews were called because of the presence of lithium-ion batteries. Fire marshals are now investigating what caused the fire.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection also posted a notice at the building, saying it was alerted to the presence of lithium-ion batteries and is now involved in the investigation.
A neighbor who has lived across the street for more than two decades said he watched the emergency response.
“I saw when the firemen came out with the e-bike, and everybody noticed it was the battery from the bicycle,” said Juan, who lives across the street. “I heard about the bikes catching on fire, but this is the first time. Especially in buildings next to each other — that’s just kind of scary.”
Officials say the investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
