On Friday, a plumber’s car carrying hazardous materials caused a massive fire in Queens, New York.
According to Deputy Chief George Healy of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), Queens Fire Alarm dispatchers received multiple calls about car fires early Friday morning. Responding forces found a vehicle “engulfed in fire and also sustaining significant damage.”
Further inspection revealed that the car was equipped with pressurized cylinders, one of which failed, causing a “catastrophic explosion of the vehicle,” the FDNY deputy chief said. Several lithium-ion batteries were also found inside the vehicle, but “there was no damage,” he continued.
Security camera footage shared with the New York Post (NYP) shows the moment the vehicle explodes. As the intense scene unfolded, cars appeared to be on fire and security cameras shook. Immediately after the incident, debris can be seen scattered around the area. The video then cut to show the car engulfed in flames.
No injuries were reported, according to NYP. reported. Five cars parked nearby were damaged, and the windows of at least six homes were broken.
The car in question was owned by Dinel Haricharan, a plumber who had an acetylene tank and natural gas stored inside the car. According to ABC7. Haricharan told the outlet that his mother and brother were planning to get into the vehicle immediately after the explosion.
“We only supply natural gas for business purposes, but we always secure the tank and make sure it’s closed, so I didn’t think anything was leaking,” he told ABC7. “We found out it wasn’t safe to have it in the car.”
He claimed the explosion could have been caused by a passing vehicle setting off the alarm system. “Sometimes cars pass by, but they don’t make a sound, they just hum,” he told the outlet.
Haricharan said this is a significant loss for the family business as the vehicle and the equipment stored inside the vehicle will need to be replaced. (Related article: “It was like hell: Video shows civilians, lawmakers rescue man trapped in burning car”)
“At approximately 6:47 this morning, the Queens Fire and Alarm Department began receiving multiple calls reporting a motor vehicle fire. Upon arrival, first responders found a vehicle involved in fire with significant damage. They quickly extinguished the fire, but then… pic.twitter.com/7c2aZbCAMe
— FDNY (@FDNY) November 8, 2024
“The public needs to be fully aware of the safety required when using pressurized cylinders and lithium-ion batteries. Therefore, if you have these devices, make sure they are stored properly and safely. Please make sure you are there,” Healy said in the X post.
