Crime & Safety
Brooklyn Fire Was Caused By Lithium-Ion Batteries: FDNY
One person was in critical condition after a fire broke out at an illegal e-bike and e-scooter repair facility Wednesday, authorities said.
BROOKLYN, NY — A fire that injured two people in Mapleton Wednesday morning was caused by lithium-ion batteries, authorities said Wednesday.
The fire burned through the third story of a residence on 57th Street between 20th and 21st Avenue, landing one civilian in critical condition and another in serious condition, according to the FDNY.
Authorities said the residence was being used as an unauthorized e-scooter and bike repair shop, and the fire broke out just after 8 a.m.
Find out what's happening in Brooklynfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
It's far from the city's first blaze started by a faulty battery in recent months. In November, a lithium-ion battery fire killed three generations of one family in Crown Heights.
"As today's news shows, this is truly a life and death situation," FDNY Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said at the time.
Find out what's happening in Brooklynfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Just days later, an Upper West Side Fire sparked by an e-bike battery sent two people to the hospital, authorities said.
This article was updated at 2:40 p.m. to reflect the time of the fire.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
