Overview

• The blaze, classified as a five-alarm fire, erupted at 7:24 p.m. on the front porch of 2462 Devoe Terrace in University Heights and quickly spread to adjacent buildings.
• Thirteen people, including firefighters, paramedics and at least one resident, were injured, with the firefighter who had been critically hurt now removed from a ventilator and in good spirits.
• Fire marshals say the fire likely began when one of about five lithium-ion devices charging on the porch overheated, noting that at least one battery lacked the required UL certification.
• Mayor Eric Adams and other city officials renewed calls to ban or more tightly regulate unsafe lithium-ion batteries after recent fatal fires elsewhere in the city.
• The FDNY has launched a Lithium-Ion Task Force to conduct inspections citywide and identify hazardous battery-powered equipment in homes and public spaces.