Fire rips through part of Cypress Hills building; lithium-ion batteries found on scene
Video from the Citizen app shows huge flames shooting from the back of the property as sirens echoed through the neighborhood.
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A large overnight fire tore through part of a building in Cypress Hills, leaving behind burned bikes, scooters and heavy damage across the property.
FDNY says the fire broke out just after 1:20 a.m. Wednesday at 503 Ridgewood Ave., near Lincoln and Autumn avenues. Flames were reported on the first floor of the three-story building.
Video from the Citizen app shows huge flames shooting from the back of the property as sirens echoed through the neighborhood.
FDNY says 21 units and 79 fire and EMS personnel responded to the scene. Hazmat crews were also called in because of the presence of lithium-ion batteries. The fire was brought under control around 2:13 a.m.
News 12 was at the scene Wednesday morning where several burned e-bikes and scooters could be seen outside the building. A large metal drum often used to store damaged batteries after fires was also seen being hauled away from the property.
Officials say no injuries were reported. A full vacate order has now been posted on the building.
The Red Cross says it is now helping two households — including four adults and three children — with emergency housing assistance.
Neighbor Jose Mena said the situation could have turned deadly.
“I came out and by the time I came out, the fire was spreading already,” Mena said. “One of the guys who lives there, he was trying to wake everybody up. This could’ve been worse — a lot worse. People were sleeping.”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
