March 22nd, 2023
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
On March 5th, a five-alarm fire occurred at the Concourse Food Plaza supermarket in the Bronx with over 100 first responders arriving on the scene. Unfortunately, the roof eventually collapsed as the blaze continued into the morning hours and the supermarket, as well as surrounding businesses were destroyed. According to the FDNY, a lithium-ion battery started the massive fire that ripped through the supermarket.
The store’s surveillance camera captured video of a battery-powered scooter exploding and going up in flames within seconds. The Fire Marshall also added that they tried to get ahead of the fire but the age of the wood-framed building was a big challenge.
The NYC Mayor addressed the city, stating the dangers of these types of batteries, especially when stored inside buildings. In 2022, New York had over 200 fires sparked by lithium-ion batteries. A method of control suggested recently entails certifying batteries prior to selling them and implementing a battery swap program to recall uncertified batteries.
Please also read our other articles regarding lithium-ion batteries. Risk Logic can inspect your business and make recommendations to help prevent losses like this one from happening. Our engineers are equipped to perform inspections and help keep your business safe. Contact Risk Logic for a complete inspection.