June 30 (UPI) — New York City authorities have made a significant discovery this week, saving lives in the process. In a Chinatown building, more than 100 illegal lithium-ion batteries were found, described as a “ticking time bomb.” The announcement was made by FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh during a press conference on Thursday. This discovery comes as part of a crackdown on the illegal use and storage of lithium-ion batteries, following a tragic fire last week in a lower Manhattan e-bike repair shop that resulted in four fatalities and two injuries.
In response to the tragedy, the enforcement and inspections of e-bike shops and repair shops in the city have been intensified, alongside appeals to the public to report any suspected violations. Commissioner Kavanagh provided an update on the enforcement action, revealing that between 115 and 130 improperly stored lithium-ion batteries were discovered during an inspection on Tuesday at 91 Canal Street. During the inspection, firefighters also found multiple fire hazards, such as damaged batteries and overloaded power strips with insufficient spacing between units. While disposing of the batteries in barrels outside the shop, some of them caught fire.
“It is evident that this location posed a significant risk,” Commissioner Kavanagh stated. “This site was a dangerous setup with various factors contributing to the high fire hazard.”
Commissioner Kavanagh emphasized the risks associated with the building, which lacked fireproofing and was located in a densely populated area. The shop underneath the residential apartments was filled with “hundreds of batteries that were cause for concern,” placing occupants in immediate danger. She commended the inspection for saving lives and urged a moment of reflection on the dangerous consequences.
According to Commissioner Kavanagh, the inspection was prompted by a public complaint about the shop in May, which led to the owner’s failure to appear in court and address the allegations. As a result of Tuesday’s inspection, multiple violations were issued, including a vacate order, three criminal summonses, and six FDNY summonses.
Since the increased enforcement checks on over 200 known e-bike shops last week, fire officials have conducted 38 inspections. Seventeen of these inspections were initiated due to complaints, while five were re-inspections. Commissioner Kavanagh noted that these efforts have resulted in 68 oath summonses, 13 violations, and nine criminal summonses. She urged the public to immediately report any concerns about specific shops and warned shop owners that fire violations would be dealt with severely.
“If you are operating a business involving the charging, storage, or handling of lithium-ion batteries, we will identify you, fine you, and close you down,” Commissioner Kavanagh emphasized. “This is a matter of life and death. Failure to comply with required safety practices may result in tragic consequences.”
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