Harlem NYCHA Complex Fire Tuesday Under FDNY Probe

HARLEM, NY - A residential fire at a NYCHA complex in Harlem that broke out late Tuesday night remains under investigation, authorities said.

The fire erupted about 11:35 p.m. inside an eighth floor apartment unit at Rangel Houses at 159-14 Harlem River Drive, fire officials told Patch.

20 units, including 78 fire personnel and medics, responded to the fire, fire officials said.

No injuries were reported and the blaze was deemed under control by 11:57 p.m., fire officials said.

The fire comes on the heels of a proposed limit to the number of lithium-ion batteries in NYCHA households, according to THE CITY. The ban would limit the batteries to one device per household and require that the batteries be certified as safe.

The number of fires caused by the exploding batteries has surged in recent years, the outlet reported, with 30 incidents in 2019 to 228 this year.

24 deaths have been attributed to the batteries in New York City, with 14 reported in 2023 to date.