Early Monday morning, a multi-level parking garage just off LeFrak City in Elmhurst erupted in flames, sending thick smoke billowing over the sprawling apartment complex and the nearby Long Island Expressway. At least three vehicles were caught in the blaze, including one electric car, and several charging stations also went up in flames. Officials said there were no immediate reports of injuries.
According to ABC7 New York, the fire was reported around 6:15 a.m. at 58-17 Junction Boulevard. Citizen App video captured flames shooting out of the LeFrak City Plaza garage, while Eyewitness News reported that three charging stations were damaged as firefighters worked to knock down the blaze and keep it from spreading through the structure.
Guidance from the FDNY notes that lithium-ion batteries, which power everything from phones and e-bikes to electric vehicles, can overheat and even reignite after a fire appears to be out. That makes these incidents tougher to handle and longer to fully wrap up, and the department urges residents to report unsafe charging or storage conditions by calling 311. FDNY safety materials, available in multiple languages, also highlight that the city has seen hundreds of battery-related fires in recent years.
Why EV blazes can be harder to fight
Fire-safety experts say that when lithium-ion batteries fail, they can burn hotter than conventional car fires and are more likely to flare back up, which can force firefighters to spend extra time cooling down battery packs or use specialized tactics and equipment. In response, building codes and National Fire Protection Association guidance have been updated to account for the unique risks posed by battery electric vehicles and stationary energy storage systems in garages and parking structures. Industry coverage in Specifying Engineer and similar outlets points to new design features and more robust fire protection requirements meant to keep flames from spreading and to protect garage integrity when a battery fire breaks out.
What neighbors should know
Residents near LeFrak City can expect lingering smoky conditions and potential lane closures around the garage while crews remain on scene and continue to monitor for any hot spots. If you see active charging setups or batteries stored in ways that look sketchy, the FDNY advises calling 311 so inspectors can check it out.
The fire at 58-17 Junction Boulevard broke out immediately east of the dense LeFrak City residential complex, and as of ABC7 New York's report, officials had not yet identified a cause. In vehicle fires that involve electric cars, investigators typically take a close look at both the charging equipment and the vehicle’s battery systems, and firefighters are often kept on watch at the scene to guard against the risk of a stubborn battery reigniting after the main flames are out.
