FDNY: Lithium-ion battery fire leaves 5 hurt, including 2 children, in Bushwick, Brooklyn
NEW YORK -- Five people were injured when a lithium-ion battery caused an early morning fire Tuesday in Brooklyn, fire officials say.
The flames broke out around 4:45 a.m. at a seven-story building on Menahan Street near Central and Wilson avenues in Bushwick.
Watch: FDNY update on lithium-ion battery fire
FDNY officials said they were faced with heavy fire and smoke in a second floor apartment. Three of the victims were in that apartment, two others were rescued from heavy smoke that drifted to floors above.
"Three victims were in the fire apartment. Two of those victims were removed from the window behind me, the double window, via a portable ladder. Our members went up that ladder, they had to cut the gates," said FDNY Chief Kevin Woods.
Two adults were rushed to the hospital in critical condition, along with a third in serious condition. Two children were also hospitalized in stable condition.
Watch: Chopper 2 over early morning fire
FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh reported there have been 216 lithium-ion battery fires so far this year, resulting in 120 injuries and 14 deaths across the city.
"These fires caused by lithium-ion batteries like the one behind me, as we have been saying for some time, are incredibly deadly. They create a tremendous amount of fire, fast-moving fire, that makes it very difficult both for our members to get in as well as for residents to get out of their apartments," Kavanagh said.
City lawmakers have taken steps to address the dangers, including a certification for retailers and trade-in program for those with cheaper, unregulated batteries.
