Fireball ERUPTS in Bronx — 13 Heroes Down

A firefighter remains in critical condition after deadly lithium-ion batteries ignited a five-alarm inferno that tore through three Bronx homes, injuring a total of 13 emergency responders and highlighting the growing danger of these volatile power sources in residential areas.

Key Takeaways

• Thirteen firefighters and one resident were hospitalized after a devastating five-alarm fire spread through three homes in the University Heights section of the Bronx.
• Lithium-ion batteries, likely from motorized devices such as scooters, contributed to the rapid spread and intensity of the blaze, making it exceptionally difficult to control.
• The fire began at 7:24 p.m. on the first floor of 2462 Devoe Terrace and quickly escalated, requiring nearly 200 firefighters to respond to the scene.
• Neighbors helped evacuate elderly and mobility-impaired residents before first responders arrived, preventing any civilian fatalities.
• The FDNY has established a specialized Lithium-Ion Task Force to address the growing threat of these battery fires across New York City.

Devastating Bronx Blaze Sends 14 to Hospital

A fierce fire erupted Sunday evening in the Bronx’s University Heights neighborhood, leaving one firefighter in critical condition and injuring 12 others as flames quickly consumed three adjacent homes. The blaze began at approximately 7:24 p.m. on the first floor of 2462 Devoe Terrace before rapidly spreading to neighboring structures. Nearly 200 dedicated FDNY personnel responded to the emergency, which quickly escalated to a five-alarm fire – the department’s highest emergency classification – indicating the extreme severity and scope of the situation that confronted first responders.

Initial reports indicate that lithium-ion batteries, likely from electric scooters or similar devices stored at the property, played a significant role in the fire’s intensity and rapid spread. These increasingly common power sources have become a major hazard in residential areas throughout New York City, with their volatile chemistry capable of triggering intense fires that resist conventional firefighting techniques. The presence of these batteries complicated suppression efforts and likely contributed to the high number of injuries among responding personnel.

Neighbors Take Heroic Action

Before firefighters arrived on scene, local residents demonstrated remarkable bravery by helping evacuate those in immediate danger, including elderly individuals with mobility challenges. Their quick thinking and selfless actions likely prevented civilian fatalities in what could have been a far more tragic outcome. These community members put themselves at risk to ensure their vulnerable neighbors escaped safely from the rapidly advancing flames that engulfed the multi-family homes.

“They were helping some old lady, she had an oxygen tank and a walker, they were helping them out,” said Jay Lopez, a witness to the scene.

Another witness, Zona Williams, provided crucial observations about potential causes, noting, “They have a lot of old scooters on the porch. So maybe one of the batteries? We don’t know. The fire was in the front, the whole front. They couldn’t get in, the fire was in the front of it, blowing up.” This eyewitness account aligns with the FDNY’s suspicions regarding lithium batteries as a contributing factor to the devastating blaze that destroyed multiple family homes and left several individuals displaced.

Growing Lithium Battery Threat Requires Specialized Response

This incident represents part of a concerning trend across major urban areas where lithium-ion battery fires have increased dramatically in recent years. The FDNY has responded by establishing a dedicated Lithium-Ion Task Force to conduct inspections and enforce safety regulations throughout the city. Despite these proactive measures, Sunday’s fire demonstrates the ongoing dangers posed by these power sources, especially in densely populated residential areas where improper storage, charging, or disposal of such batteries can lead to catastrophic outcomes.

The Red Cross has mobilized to assist displaced residents with temporary housing and essential supplies following the destructive fire. Meanwhile, FDNY investigators continue working to determine the precise cause of the blaze, though the presence of lithium batteries has already been identified as a significant factor in both how the fire started and why it proved so difficult to contain. The critically injured firefighter remains hospitalized as the department awaits updates on their condition and prays for a full recovery.