NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – The FDNY announced on Saturday that a fire that erupted inside an apartment in Harlem on Friday—that killed one and critically injured four others—was caused by a lithium-ion battery.
At 4:46 p.m., the FDNY made a post on X stating that fire marshals determined the cause of the fire was a lithium-ion battery.
The fire physically injured 17 people, four of which are in critical condition, and killed one more, the FDNY said.
The deceased person was pronounced dead at an area hospital, fire officials said.
The FDNY received a report about a person hanging from outside of a window at the apartment building at 2 St. Nicholas Pl and responded.
The fire started at around 2 p.m. inside the six-story apartment, according to FDNY.
Before the FDNY arrived, one of the victims fell from the side of the building while clinging to the exterior outside a window, the FDNY chief said.
Firefighters were lowered by rope to the fifth floor during the rescue, grabbed victims who were trapped and lowered them to the ground, fire officials said.
The FDNY provided video of the department's aviation unit's efforts to help in rescue operations.
In the wake of the fatal fire, Chief of Department John Hodgens reminded the public to close doors to prevent smoke and fire from spreading.