Neighbors at NYCHA’s Mill Brook Houses are on alert after a fire Sunday afternoon involving lithium-ion batteries. Fire officials say the blaze broke out on the fifth floor of a building in the Mott Haven complex.
More than 100 firefighters responded to the scene and requested the Hazmat team after discovering lithium-ion batteries inside the apartment.
News 12 cameras captured one motorcycle and three e-bikes parked outside the building as crews worked to contain the fire.
Fire officials remind residents that e-bikes and similar devices can be dangerous if not used properly.
They advise using reputable batteries marked with a UL certification, charging devices only with the manufacturer’s designated charger and never leaving batteries unattended while charging.
Residents in the building described the frightening moments during the fire. “It was a little scary,” said Tiffany, a Mott Haven resident. “When I was coming down the stairs, there was white smoke on the floor. There was white smoke in the stairwell.”
No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. The FDNY also reminds residents to call 911 if a lithium-ion battery catches fire, noting that water and standard fire extinguishers are often ineffective.
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