Monday, August 14, 2023 3:11PM
OZONE PARK, Queens (WABC) — Police say an e-bike repair shop was operating in the basement of a Queens building that went up in flames last week and left a 93-year-old woman dead.
The broke out on the second floor of a mixed-use building at 98-01 101st Avenue in Ozone Park just after 1:30 p.m. Friday.
Kam Mei Koo was found unconscious and unresponsive on the second floor. She was taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center where she later died.
The FDNY said Saturday that the cause of the fire was determined to be accidental and caused by a lithium-ion battery.
Inspectors said the cellar of the building was being occupied as an e-bike repair shop and the first floor was illegally converted into an apartment with a constructed loft for sleeping quarters.
The Department of Building issued two violations to the property owner, who is the victim’s son. He denied the e-bikes in the basement were being repaired.
The FDNY said there have been 14 deaths in 2023 associated with lithium-ion battery fires and more than 90 injuries.
ALSO READ | Shocking mob-style smash-and-grab robbery at California Nordstrom caught on camera
———-
* More Queens news
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
Copyright © 2023 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Denial of responsibility! My Droll is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
