FDNY Assistant Chief Edward Baggott said 200 firefighters and more than 44 vehicles were needed to fight a fire at a recycling firm that broke out close to the Long Island Rail Road tracks in Hollis on Friday. The fire was not under control until Saturday morning. (PHOTO BY MICHAEL GANNON)
Posted: Thursday, March 22, 2018 10:30 am
A lithium-ion battery that was not properly disposed of is being cited as the cause of a massive fire that disrupted Long Island Rail Road service for several hours last Friday.
The battery ignited piles of newspaper and cardboard, some as much as 15 feet high, setting off what would become a five-alarm fire, at Royal Waste Services at 187-40 Jamaica Ave. near the intersection with Hollis Avenue. The site is adjacent to the LIRR’s Hillside maintenance facility in Hollis.
The fire caused the railroad to halt service on much of its main line and three other branches. One of several photos the LIRR posted on Twitter showed firefighters standing on the tracks as they battled the blaze.
It also shut down Jamaica Avenue in both directions for more than five blocks as more than 200 firefighters fought the flames.
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