Fire rips through apartment building in Fordham, tenants believe e-bike battery is to blame
According to FDNY, a fire started on the top floor of the apartment building at 2705 Marion Ave.
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The FDNY confirmed details of a fire on the fourth floor of a building in Fordham. Multiple tenants of the building told News 12 an e-bike battery started the fire.
According to FDNY, a fire started on the top floor of the apartment building at 2705 Marion Ave.
They said the flames broke out around 1:15 p.m. on Thursday.
Citizen App video shows clouds of smoke erupting from the building and firefighters investigating on the roof.
Fire officials said 60 firefighters responded to the scene. They said it took 45 minutes to get the fire under control.
One person was injured but refused medical attention, according to the FDNY.
The FDNY did not confirm a lithium-ion battery caused the fire.
Tenants told News 12's Marissa Santorelli that an e-bike battery was charging inside of the fourth-floor apartment at the time of the fire. The tenant, who wishes to remain anonymous, said the battery exploded.
He recalled hearing three explosions before the fire alarms went off.
News 12 crews got an inside look at the damage. The hallways were charred black and still smelled of smoke.
Cameras captured the apartment where the fire began. Footage showed the home reduced to rubble.
In the center of the damage laid a torched e-bike.
The Red Cross took to social media to discuss their recovery efforts at the scene.
The post states the Red Cross of NY “has provided 4 affected households (6 adults, a child and 3 pets) with emergency housing, financial aid, comfort kits, water, snacks and blankets.”
The FDNY's investigation remains ongoing.
