Ten people were injured in a residental fire that broke out on Monday afternoon in Marble Hill.

 

FDNY officials said they received a call on Monday, March 11, at 2.19 p.m. for a report of a fire at a multiple dwelling located at 36 Marble Hill Avenue and West 255 Street.

They 33 units comprising 138 firefighters and EMS personnel responded to the 3-alarm fire which they said resulted in ten non life-threatening injuries, including six to firefighters and four to civilians.

 

They said there were heavy fire conditions on all floors and in a stairwell of the building. Firefighters were seen in photos on the roof of the structure attacking the fire.

According to an FDNY spokesperson, the fire was brought under control at 3.40 p.m.  The spokesperson said the cause of the fire was determined to be a lithium-ion battery.

 

To read our previous coverage on legislation passed or in progress in relation to the regulation of the sale of lithium-ion batteries, click here.

An American Red Cross official, Frederic Klein, said the organization registered 12 households (27 adults, 6 children, 6 pets) for emergency assistance, including temporary lodging and financial assistance after the fire. “Our Greater New York Disaster Action Team also provided care items including comfort kits, shoes, clothes, diapers, blankets, snacks, water, and pet food,” Klein said.

He added, “Red Cross caseworkers will continue to follow up with affected residents in coming days to help connect them with government and/or nonprofit resources to help with longer-term recovery needs. Any residents affected by this fire who were not able to connect with the Red Cross on scene and who need help with their recovery should call 877-RED CROSS (877-733-2767).”

As reported, two people were transported to hospital after a fire broke out last weekend on Tyron Avenue in Norwood.

 

Two other people were injured and five cats died in a fire in Kingsbridge on Friday, March 8, as reported. The American Red Cross previously gave the following advice regarding pets and fire safety. “Keep pets near entrances when away from home. Keep collars on pets and leashes at the ready in case firefighters need to rescue them. When leaving pets home alone, keep them in areas or rooms near entrances where firefighters can easily find them.”

Additional advice included affixing a pet alert window cling and writing down the number of pets inside a home and attaching the static cling to a front window. “This critical information saves rescuers time locating your pets,” the website extract read. “Keep the number of listed pets updated.”

 

Meanwhile, three people were treated for minor injuries in a separate fire also in Norwood on Monday, March 4, as also reported.

At home fire safety tips can be found at www.fdnysmart.org. The Office of the Bronx Borough President recently kicked off a new series of fire safety training sessions around the borough in conjunction with the FDNY.

 

Click here for some previous coverage on this topic. New York City Council voted to pass additional e-bike safety rules to address the dangers of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in February 2024.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

On June 25, 2023 federal and City officials announced funding of $25 million for 173 safe e-charging and storage stations at more than 50 NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA) sites.