A day after a 3-alarm fire gutted a deli in Kingsbridge Heights, fire officials determined that the blaze was caused by lithium-ion batteries.

 

Firefighters were called to the deli located at 69 West Kingsbridge Road between University Avenue and Reservoir Avenue at 7:04 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 18.

 

The FDNY reported that 138 members from 33 units battled the blaze at the building, described by FDNY as one-story and non-fireproof, for nearly an hour before the blaze was brought under control.

 

The store has a setback but there is a 5-story apartment building behind / over it. Two civilians suffered minor injuries, according to the FDNY.

 

We received unofficial reports that firefighters had to evacuate the apartment building due to the heavy smoke condition. We are verifying this with the FDNY and will update this story accordingly upon receipt of more information.

The following day the FDNY reported, “Per FDNY Fire Marshals, the cause of yesterday’s 3rd alarm fire at 69 W. Kingsbridge Road in The Bronx was lithium-ion batteries.”

 

Attempts by Norwood News to reach, by phone, the two businesses next to the deli, Kuky Travel, located at 71 West Kingsbridge Road, and Kennedy Fried Chicken, located at 67 West Kingsbridge Road, were unsuccessful.

 

Also on December 19, FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh tweeted, “We’re in the midst of the busy holiday shopping season. We know lots of consumers are buying devices powered by lithium-ion batteries. The best device to purchase? One that’s been safety certified by a nationally accredited testing laboratory, like U-L.”

In a separate post, she added in part, “During this holiday season, the FDNY expects many lithium-ion powered devices such as e-scooters and e-bikes have been purchased as gifts. Make sure they are safety certified by an accredited testing laboratory like U-L. Don’t charge them overnight or near exits.”

 

For more safety recommendations regarding lithium-ion batteries, click here.

 

A full list of educational materials on lithium-ion batteries can be found online.

 

Click here, here, here, and here for some previous coverage on this topic.

 

New laws have also been introduced at a federal, City and State level to address fire safety prevention and the hazards of lithium-ion batteries and e-bikes.

 

Click here for details of a federal recall of 53,000 scooters due to a fire hazard involving the deaths of two children.