The East Harlem fire that killed a 5-year-old girl and her father’s girlfriend – along with three dogs – was started by lithium-ion batteries on an electric scooter or bicycle, firefighters said.
The little girl, her 46-year-old father and his 36-year-old girlfriend were trapped in an apartment on the sixth floor of NYCHA’s eight-story Jackie Robinson Houses building when the fire broke out just after 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, authorities said.
The girl and her father were rushed to Harlem Hospital, where the child succumbed to his injuries and the man remains in critical condition Thursday morning, police said.
Three dogs also died in the fire, authorities said.
The deadly fire came from batteries used for electric scooters and e-bikes, the FDNY tweeted hours after the fire.
Photos show at least three of the motorized vehicles at and near the scene, one of which appears to be heavily charred.
Another civilian was lightly injured in the fire and was taken to Mount Sinai Medical Center, the FDNY said.
A firefighter traveled to Mount Sinai Morningside, also with minor injuries, according to the FDNY.
Police have not identified those killed in the fire pending notification from the family.
GB2
