An electric-vehicle battery fire tore through the New Roc City parking garage Tuesday afternoon, sending thick smoke over downtown New Rochelle and drawing a massive response from local fire crews. Multiple cars were left gutted, traffic ground to a halt around the complex, and curious onlookers watched as firefighters worked to knock the blaze down and keep it from spreading.
Fire officials told News 12 the fire broke out around 2 p.m. in an EV charging area on one of the garage's upper levels, then jumped to nearby vehicles. New Rochelle Fire Chief Andrew Sandor said crews had to factor in how stubborn electric-vehicle batteries can be, noting that “the lithium-ion batteries, they're hard to put out,” which led firefighters to focus on heavy cooling and containment.
Damage and response
Fire crews from Yonkers, Eastchester, Greenville, Pelham and Pelham Manor joined New Rochelle units at the scene, according to Daily Voice, turning the garage into a small city of engines, hoses and ladders. Photos from the scene, along with the Instagram post above, show heavy smoke inside the structure, burned-out cars and the sheer scale of the mutual-aid response.
Officials told News 12 that five vehicles were destroyed in the blaze, including two city-operated Circuit shuttle mini buses. Firefighters said they got the flames under control quickly, yet remained especially concerned about a daycare center across the street, where children sheltered in place while the operation unfolded.
Injuries and safety concerns
CBS News reported that two people were injured: a firefighter who suffered an orthopedic injury and a person working on the vehicle who was treated for minor burns to their hands. Officials did not immediately provide additional information on their conditions as crews wrapped up work at the scene and investigators continued looking into what happened.
Where it happened and next steps
The New Roc Garage sits on Huguenot Street between Harrison Street and LeCount Place and is operated by LAZ Parking, according to the city's facilities information. Investigators and city staff are now assessing the structural damage and tallying vehicle losses while the precise cause of the fire remains under investigation, Daily Voice reported.
Why EV fires behave differently
The U.S. Fire Administration notes that lithium-ion battery fires can enter a state known as thermal runaway, which can cause them to reignite hours after they appear to be extinguished. That makes these incidents tougher to handle without extended cooling and specific tactics tailored to electric vehicles. USFA guidance advises responders to rely on standardized emergency response guides for EVs, isolate involved vehicles when it is safe to do so, and plan for prolonged cooling operations in order to prevent rekindling.
City officials asked residents to steer clear of the immediate area while firefighters finished cleanup and investigators continued their work, and urged anyone worried about downtown parking or Circuit shuttle availability to monitor official city channels for updates. This report will be updated as investigators and city and fire officials release additional information.
