A fire involving an electric vehicle at the New Roc City parking garage in downtown New Rochelle, New York, injured two people and damaged several vehicles on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. The blaze prompted a major emergency response as firefighters worked to contain the flames and address the challenges associated with a lithium-ion battery fire.
The incident occurred at the parking garage at 51 LeCount Place, with smoke spreading across parts of downtown New Rochelle. Firefighters from New Rochelle and neighboring communities responded as the fire extended to other vehicles inside the structure.
Fire Breaks Out in Electric Vehicle Charging Area
According to News 12, the fire began at approximately 2 p.m. in an electric vehicle charging area inside the New Rochelle City Garage on Harrison Street.
Fire officials said an electric vehicle caught fire, and the flames spread to nearby vehicles. Reports indicated that a worker had been repairing one of the city’s electric Circuit shuttle vehicles when the fire started.
The incident required an extensive firefighting operation because lithium-ion battery fires can be difficult to extinguish completely. Even after visible flames are suppressed, damaged batteries may retain heat and reignite, requiring firefighters to continue cooling and monitoring the affected vehicles.
New Rochelle Fire Department personnel worked to contain the blaze, with mutual-aid crews from Yonkers, Eastchester, Greenville, Pelham, and Pelham Manor assisting with the response.
Two People Injured
Two people were injured in the incident, according to reports from CBS New York and local news outlets.
The injured included the worker who had been repairing the electric vehicle and a firefighter who responded to the blaze. The worker reportedly sustained minor burns to the hands, while the firefighter suffered an orthopedic injury.
The available reports did not establish that either injury was life-threatening. No additional serious injuries were confirmed in the coverage reviewed.
The incident also raised concerns about a daycare center across the street from the garage on Valley Place. Children inside the facility sheltered in place while firefighters worked to control the fire.
Five Vehicles Destroyed
The blaze damaged multiple vehicles inside the parking structure. News 12 reported that five vehicles were destroyed, including two city-operated Circuit electric shuttle minibuses.
The damage affected vehicles used in New Rochelle’s local transportation network, highlighting the potential disruption when a fire spreads through a parking facility containing several electric vehicles.
Firefighters brought the flames under control, but crews remained attentive to the possibility of battery reignition. The operation required careful monitoring to ensure the fire did not spread further through the garage.
Streets Reopen as Investigation Continues
The fire disrupted traffic and activity around downtown New Rochelle while emergency vehicles occupied the surrounding streets. According to Patch, the affected garage and nearby streets reopened after several hours.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation in the reports reviewed. Although the blaze involved an electric vehicle being repaired, officials had not established a definitive technical cause or confirmed whether a mechanical fault or another factor triggered the incident.
A Reminder of the Challenges of Battery Fires
The May 5 incident demonstrated the challenges emergency crews face when electric vehicle batteries catch fire in enclosed spaces. Smoke, heat, potential reignition, and the proximity of other vehicles can complicate firefighting operations.
While the fire injured two people and destroyed five vehicles, emergency crews contained the blaze and prevented further reported injuries. Additional official findings would be needed to establish the precise cause and any measures required to prevent similar incidents.