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The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) has released a shocking video showing the moment an e-bike lithium-ion battery catches fire and explodes, burning out a store in Queens.
The CCTV video, which was posted to X yesterday, is taken from inside an e-bike store on Saturday night that is jam-packed full of mopeds. It reveals just how quickly a battery can ignite and turn into a massive fire.
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The resulting two-alarm fire at the South Richmond Hill store caused nearly two dozen e-bikes to erupt in flames. The store was closed at the time and no civilians were hurt, although one firefighter suffered minor injuries, the FDNY said.
FDNY BLAMES E-SCOOTER BATTERY FOR FIRE THAT KILLS 3 FAMILY MEMBERS
The FDNY has released a dramatic video showing the moment an e-bike lithium-ion battery catches fire and explodes, burning down a store in Queens.(FDNY)
“A DVR (digital video recorder) shows smoke coming from the battery – and within 20 seconds – you see a shower of sparks, flames, and explosions,” the FDNY wrote in the caption accompanying the video.
“Just two and a half minutes later, a wall of flames consumes the shop… An upstairs tenant heard three loud pops and smelled smoke. He went downstairs to investigate and saw smoke inside the store.”
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The FDNY has long warned New York City residents about the dangers posed by e-bike lithium-ion batteries, and they have been blamed for a dramatic spike in fires.
NEW YORK CITY FATAL FIRE WAS CAUSED BY E-BIKE BATTERY, OFFICIALS SAY
Several charred e-bikes and mopeds are seen outside a bike store in Queens after a battery exploded and burned down the store(FDNY)
According to the FDNY, more than 215 fires were caused by lithium-ion batteries in 2022, which resulted in 147 injuries and six deaths across the city.
The FDNY told Fox News Digital that last year’s figures have not yet been finalized, but FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said in November that 17 deaths had already been attributed to lithium-ion batteries in 2023 from nearly 240 fires.
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“These are incredibly dangerous devices if they are unregulated or used improperly,” Kavanagh said during a public safety in February. “They show an enormous amount of fire when they catch fire — they often present an immediate inability to exit one’s room or one’s apartment or one’s home.”
The FDNY has released a dramatic video showing the moment an e-bike lithium-ion battery catches fire and explodes, burning down a store in Queens.(FDNY)
In a safety manual, the FDNY advises people to never use aftermarket or generic batteries or chargers, never plug batteries into a power strip or overload an outlet and never overcharge or leave batteries charging overnight.
These rechargeable batteries are found in electric bikes and scooters as well as cars, laptops, tablets, phones and common household devices, according to the manual.
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New regulations came into effect in the city in September requiring the sale of all battery-powered mobility devices, like electric bicycles and electric scooters, to have certified batteries.
BOSTON (WHDH) – Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum responded to the team’s shocking trade of forward Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, reflecting on the near decade they spent together in Boston.
Tatum posted a tribute to Brown on his Instagram story Friday afternoon, writing, “9 years! Forever grateful for all that we accomplished together, for pushing me to be a better player. From first round exits to winning a chip together I’m thankful for it all. Nothing but love and respect for you as a player and as a person! Looking forward to see how you attack this next chapter of your career and wish you nothing but the best for you! Continue to be special.”
The trade will become official Monday once the league-wide moratorium is lifted. The Celtics will welcome nine-time NBA All-Star Paul George, who they received from the 76ers, as well as new signings Mitchell Robinson and Mike Conley Jr.
(Copyright (c) 2026 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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We break down when Pittsburgh fireworks cross from fun into illegal
In Pennsylvania, it’s easier than ever to buy consumer fireworks, but using them inside Pittsburgh city limits is where the law tightens up.
In Pennsylvania, it’s easier than ever to buy consumer fireworks, but using them inside Pittsburgh city limits is where the law tightens up. For this week’s “Is It Legal?” series, the key distinction is that purchase and possession are generally allowed under state law, while where and how you launch them is restricted by local rules and safety regulations.
In Pittsburgh, residents can’t legally set off fireworks in public spaces like streets, sidewalks, parks or right-of-way areas. They’re also not supposed to launch them near buildings or vehicles, or in any way that directs fireworks toward people or property.
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In rowhouse neighborhoods and dense blocks, that effectively rules out most front yards, alleys and tight backyards, because they sit too close to homes and parked cars to meet the distance and safety requirements. On top of that, noise and nuisance ordinances can come into play, especially late at night, giving police grounds to respond when fireworks are reported as a disturbance or hazard.
Officials stress that fireworks are explosives, not toys, and point to common risks: injuries from misfires, fires on roofs or in yards, and the impact on pets, older neighbors and veterans with PTSD. That’s why they consistently urge residents to skip DIY backyard launches and attend permitted, professional shows instead, where licensed operators, fire crews and safety plans are already in place.
More: Is it legal? Boating rules on Pittsburgh’s three rivers
More: Is it legal? What boaters can and can’t do on Pittsburgh’s rivers
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More: Is it legal? Exploring ‘The Pittsburgh Left’
So, when viewers ask “Is it legal?” the answer is nuanced: Buying fireworks is broadly legal under state law, but setting them off in most Pittsburgh neighborhoods — especially in public spaces or close to buildings — is often not, and can quickly lead to citations or police visits rather than a celebration.
This article by Gabby Sartori was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more.
The AGANORSA Leaf Aniversario Connecticut is now available in a new vitola, one that also comes in a metal tube.
It’s the second different toro for the line, though it will be difficult to confuse the two cigars. The AGANORSA Leaf Aniversario Connecticut Toro, the existing cigar, is a 6 1/4 x 52 box-pressed toro. The new AGANORSA Leaf Aniversario Connecticut Tubo is a 6 x 52 round toro. Blend-wise, the line uses an Ecuadorian Connecticut-seed wrapper over Nicaraguan tobaccos grown by AGANORSA. The line is made at the company’s factory in Nicaragua.
The AGANORSA Leaf Aniversario Connecticut Tubo has an MSRP of $19.99 and comes in boxes of 10 cigars.
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“The Aniversario Connecticut Tubo offers a perfect combination of elegance, convenience, and flavor,” said Terence Reilly, vp of sales & marketing for AGANORSA Leaf, in a press release when the cigar was announced in March. “It’s an ideal cigar for both longtime fans of the brand and smokers discovering Aganorsa for the first time.”
Charlie Minato
I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media, LLC. Previously, I started TheCigarFeed, one of the two predecessors blogs of halfwheel. I have written about the cigar industry since 2010, covering everything from product launches to regulation to M&A. Beyond writing, I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff from weighing cigars to coordinating the tech. Outside of work, I enjoy playing tennis, watching boxing, falling asleep to the Le Mans 24, wearing sweatshirts year-round and eating gyros. echte liebe.
