Two people seriously injured and 36 others hurt after fire breaks out in NYC apartment
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Two critical and 36 others injured after fire on 20th floor of NYC high-rise apartment building caused by e-scooter battery – as firefighters perform ‘last resort’ rope rescue to save woman clinging to building
- About 38 people were injured, two of whom suffered life-threatening injuries, after a fire broke out on the 20th floor of a Manhattan apartment building
- The fire was started by a lithium-ion battery of a micro-mobility device or e-scooter
- It flooded the 20th floor of the 37-story apartment building on East 52nd Street
- Shocking video of the scene shows firefighters performing one of two ‘las resort’ rope rescues of civilians hanging from windows
Thirty-eight people were injured, two of whom suffered life-threatening injuries, after a fire broke out at a 37-story Manhattan building on Saturday.
The FDNY reported a three-alarm fire from the battery of a micromobility device or e-scooter on the 20th floor of an apartment building at 429 East 52nd Street, reported by the FDNY.
Officials said at least two dozen residents ran to the roof, while others hung from their windows to try to escape the fire.
Poignant video on social media shows the moment firefighters quickly worked to rescue two people clinging to the building with a rope.
A team of firefighters pulls a woman out of a smoking 20th-floor window while tying her to their rope.
They then slowly lower her to the window below, where another group of firefighters grabs her and carries her to safety, all within a minute.
“That’s a last resort from the FDNY,” Deputy Assistant Chief Frank Leeb said of the rescue.
At least two people were said to have suffered life-threatening injuries, while five others were seriously injured.
About 38 people were injured, two of whom suffered life-threatening injuries, after a fire broke out on the 20th floor of a Manhattan apartment building
Fire officials said the fire was caused by a lithium-ion battery powering a micro-mobility device, which usually refers to an electric scooter or e-bike.
The fire brigade was on site within three minutes and had to deal with heavy smoke development in the apartment complex.
At least two people inhaled smoke as a result of the fire.
Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh praised the quick action of the first responders to save the residents of the building.
“I cannot emphasize enough the extraordinary work of our members this morning in incredibly dangerous circumstances,” Kavanagh told reporters.
Leeb echoed the praise of the fast-acting first responders for saving more than three dozen people.
“What we saw today was our training, our teamwork and our absolute dedication from the units operating there with the life-saving rope rescue, to pass them on to our exceptionally trained EMS staff to get these patients all off-scene in a matter of minutes,” Leeb said.