Eighteen children were injured, one seriously, in a fire started by a lithium-ion battery in Queens on Wednesday, fire officials said.
The basement of the house operated as an unlicensed daycare center, according to the city’s building department.
Shortly after 2 p.m., firefighters battled a large blaze at 147-07 72nd Drive and rescued 18 children from inside, according to Chief of Operations John Esposito.
Seventeen children were treated at the scene and did not require hospital care, but one child, whose age was not released, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, officials said.
Building inspectors determined that two commercial businesses operated in the basement: a daycare center and a dental laboratory. Neither was an approved use of that space, according to Ryan Degan, a spokesman for the building department.
After the fire, the building department issued the owner violations for unauthorized construction, and improper use of the basement, Degan said.
Fire marshals later determined that a lithium-ion battery used in an e-bike or scooter started the fire, according to FDNY spokesman Frank Dwyer.
Video of the aftermath of the chaotic scene broadcast by NBC New York showed adults comforting young children.
Neither the city’s health department nor the state’s Office of Children and Family Services, which both regulate daycare centers, had any record of the location in their public databases.
Patrick Gallahue, a spokesman for the health department, said his office is investigating the incident.
Solomon Syed, a spokesman for the New York State Office of Children and Family Services said the daycare was not registered with their office.
“The (OCFS) needs to find out about the injuries these children suffered,” Syed wrote. “The agency is conducting a thorough review to determine whether it was in fact operating illegally.”
Syed went on to explain that all child care facilities need a license with the state if a program or caregiver cares for more than two unrelated children for three or more hours a day.
The owner of the building, Abner Arshadnia, is described as the head of Yeshiva Ohel Simcha on LinkedIn, a school with a location around the corner from the scene of the fire. Phone calls and emails to Arshadnia and the yeshiva were not immediately returned.
Neighbors have expressed concerns about the house before.
“There is a single-family residence that has been illegally converted into a two-family home,” complained a 311 caller in 2018. “This has caused a lot of strange people traffic.”
After that complaint, building department inspectors visited the house twice and knocked on the door but no one answered and they never inspected the building, records show.
After the fire, building inspectors issued a full evacuation order on the house, due to smoke and water damage and a hole in the roof.
Lithium-ion batteries have been blamed for more than 13 fires across the city so far this year, according to the FDNY. Last year, the batteries caused 216 fires, 147 injuries and six deaths, FDNY officials said, although faulty electrical wiring is consistently blamed for more fires and injuries than batteries.
This story has been updated to include comments from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.
Contents
How often do you need to replace an electric car battery?
How much does it cost to replace batteries on electric cars? Experts say electric vehicle batteries typically cost between $2,000 and $10,000 to replace, but some are more expensive. Electric vehicles are growing in popularity worldwide, with sales set to double in 2021 to a new record of 6.6 million, the International Energy Agency said in May.
What is the lifespan of an electric car battery? “Today, most EV batteries have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years inside the car â and a second life beyond.†It’s also worth noting that EV battery technology continues to evolve, so as technology evolves, we wait. the lifespan of batteries to increase â and also to become cheaper, smaller and even lighter.
Do electric cars last longer than gas cars?
While battery life used to be a concern for prospective EV owners, modern technology has allowed EVs to last as long, if not longer, than traditional gasoline vehicles.
Will electric cars last longer than gas? I’m happy to say that in addition to their other advantages, electric vehicles (EVs) are a more durable choice: electric cars last about three years longer than gasoline cars with average lifespans of 15 and 12 years respectively.
What is the lifespan of an electric car? In general, electric vehicles last 10-20 years, but some factors can reduce their lifespan. For example, batteries can degrade faster in warmer climates because heat does not bond well with EVs.
Are electric cars more reliable than gas cars?
EVs are more reliable than vehicles with internal combustion engines, which means they have fewer parts. The average engine contains hundreds of moving parts that must be maintained and replaced, while your electric vehicle relies on a battery, transmission and engine.
What is more reliable gas or electric cars? The electric vehicle has one moving part, the engine, while the gasoline vehicle has hundreds of moving parts. Fewer moving parts in the electric vehicle lead to another important difference. The electric vehicle requires less periodic maintenance and is more reliable.
Will an electric car last 200000 miles?
The average lifetime mileage of an ICE vehicle is approximately 133,000 miles. While experts estimate that the average EV battery will last around 200,000 miles, some manufacturers are already promising much more than that.
Will an EV last 300000 miles? Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent. Great question! Yes, electric cars last 300k miles, however it depends on the quality of the car and how well you maintain it.
How often do electric car batteries need to be replaced?
Electric vehicle battery technology This reduces the interval and time required between each trip to charge. Most manufacturers have a five to eight year warranty on their battery. However, the current forecast is that electric car batteries will last from 10 to 20 years before they need to be replaced.
Is it worth replacing the battery in an electric car? This data is supported by a 2020 study by Consumer Reports, which estimates that the lifespan of an EV battery pack should exceed 200,000 miles without ever needing to be replaced – meaning the battery will more than likely outlast the life of the car .
How long do Tesla electric car batteries last? On average, Tesla owners can expect at least 267 miles of range on a single charge of their car’s battery. According to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, your Tesla batteries are supposed to last 300,000 to 500,000 miles, or 1,500 battery cycles. That’s about 22 to 37 years for an average person.
Why are lithium batteries not used in cars?
Are lithium batteries ok for cars? Most plug-in hybrids and all-electric vehicles use lithium-ion batteries like these. Energy storage systems, usually batteries, are essential for all-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).
What will replace lithium batteries in cars? Magnesium. Magnesium can theoretically carry a significant charge of 2, more than either lithium or sodium. Because of this, batteries made from the material would have higher energy density, more stability and lower cost than lithium-ion equivalents used today, according to researchers.
What are the disadvantages of lithium batteries? Li-ion batteries are also subject to aging, which means they can lose capacity and often fail after a few years. Another factor limiting their widespread adoption is their cost, which is about 40% higher than Ni-Cd. Addressing these issues is a key component for current research into the technology.
Can you use a lithium battery in a car?
On the latest models of Cars such as some BMW or Audi or other brands, ANY Battery whether Lead/Acid or Lithium may need to be âregistered and/or codedâ for the car (please see below). But most of the time you can ignore this and just swap out the Lithium Battery for Lead/Acid in the Car without any problems.
Are lithium batteries safe in cars? Electric car Safety The Lithium-ion battery is flammable and can catch fire, it has powerful cells that can cause a short circuit if it is damaged. However, lithium-ion batteries have a much lower risk of fire explosions than gasoline in conventional vehicles.
Can I replace my lead acid car battery with a lithium battery? While lead-acid batteries are well-understood workhorses, lithium-ion batteries are high-efficiency energy-storage solutions that can be easily replaced without all the drawbacks – making them an ideal choice for replacing and upgrading worn-out lead-acid batteries.
Can I replace my car battery with a lithium battery? Absolutely, in most circumstances our particular Lithium Chemistry works as a direct replacement for Lead/Acid Batteries without any changes required to the Vehicle’s System Settings.
Why lithium batteries are not used in cars?
Additionally, the alternator and regulator circuit in cars are designed to charge lead-acid batteries, not lithium. Typically, your alternator will be around 14.7V, it could go up to 15V. So there is a risk of the BMS shutting down the batteries due to overvoltage.
What is the biggest problem with electric cars?
EV owners have experienced chronic problems with the display screens, exterior door lights, failed temperature sensors, mismatched paint, and seals and weather stripping. It’s not just that these problems happen, but that they happen at a higher rate than with conventional vehicles.
What is the lifespan of an electric car? In general, electric vehicles last 10-20 years, but some factors can reduce their lifespan. For example, batteries can degrade faster in warmer climates because heat does not bond well with EVs.
Why is nobody buying electric cars? In addition to the myths, there are also some obvious reasons that many car buyers just aren’t buying into EVs yet, such as the high sticker price, range anxiety, and the fear of battery degradation and potential fires.
What are 3 disadvantages of electric cars? Disadvantages of electric cars
- Electric cars can travel less distance. AEVs on average have a shorter range than petrol cars. …
- Electric cars can take a long time to recharge. Plugging in an all-electric car can also be a problem. …
- Electric cars can be expensive.
Comments are closed.